• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)

    Upfront Requirements:

    • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen with U.S. national status, or have a green card, an Arrival/Departure Record (I-94), battered immigrant-qualified alien status or a T visa or a parent with a T-1 visa.
    • Have a valid Social Security number.

    Changes for 2023/2024:

    1. FAFSA will open in December instead of October this year. This change will only apply to this year.
    2. Modified FAFSA form includes the remaining simplification provisions:
      1. The discount for multiple children in college will be removed.
      2. Grandparents, other extended family, and friends' financial support will no longer be assessed.
      3. For divorced parents, the custodial parent is now the one who offers the most financial support.
      4. Students with unusual circumstances will be given provisional independent student status pending financial aid administrator's approval.
    3. SAI replaces EFC - this is just a terminology change.
      1. SAI can now go below zero, all the way to -1500.
    4. Pell Grant eligibility formula has changed - eligibility expanded.
    5. Financial Aid Direct Data Exchange replaces IRS Data Retrieval Tool

    How Financial Aid Works

    For most students planning to attend college or career school, financial aid is essential. Below this will walk you through how financial aid works and resources to pay for college.

    Start Planning Early

    Plan how to pay for college before you start. Ask school counselors and the college financial aid office about state, college, and nonprofit grants and scholarships you can apply for. Be sure to meet application deadlines. Start saving before you get to college. Consider prepaid tuition and education savings (529) plans.

    Preparing for College
    Understanding Grants
    Understanding Scholarships
     

    Fill Out the FAFSA® Form

    Before each year of college, apply for federal grants, work-study, and loans with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Your college uses your FAFSA data to determine your federal aid eligibility. Many states and colleges use FAFSA data to award their own aid. After submission, you’ll receive your Student Aid Report.

    Filling Out the FAFSA® Form
    Understanding Work-Study Jobs
    Understanding Loans
     

    Review Your Aid Offer

    Your aid offer explains the types and amounts of aid a college is offering you, and your expected costs for the year. If you’ve been accepted to multiple colleges, compare the costs and aid offers. Accept the aid from the school that's best for you and inform them of other sources of aid (such as scholarships) you expect to receive.

    Comparing School Aid Offers
    Accepting Financial Aid
    Understanding College Costs
     

    Get Your Aid

    Time to go to school! Your financial aid office will apply your aid to the amount you owe your school and send you the remaining balance to spend on other college costs. One of the requirements to maintain financial aid eligibility is that you must make satisfactory academic progress. And don’t forget to complete a FAFSA® form each year!

    Receiving Financial Aid
    Staying Eligible
    Renewing Your FAFSA Form