What is FAFSA?
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is used to determine the amount of money a family is expected to contribute to the price of attending a postsecondary institution. The results of the FAFSA are used in determining student grants, work study, and loan amounts.
FAFSA Eligibility
Nearly every student is eligible for some form of financial aid, including low-interest Federal Stafford and/or parent PLUS loans, regardless of income or circumstances, provided that you:
Applying for Aid...FAFSA is step #1
To be considered for federal financial aid, you must complete and submit a FAFSA. Additionally, most states, colleges and universities use the FAFSA to award other types of institutional financial aid, including state- and college-sponsored financial aid, such as grants, educational loans, and work-study programs.
(Note: In addition to the FAFSA, some states/colleges require additional forms or applications for aid. Check with your school’s financial aid office for any state- and/or school-specific requirements.)
FAFSA Deadlines
Many states, colleges and universities have filing deadlines that are much earlier—some occurring as early as the first few weeks in January. Additionally, applicants have to pay particular attention to deadline specifics, as some refer to the date by which individual FAFSAs must be submitted (Transaction Receipt Date), while others refer to the date by which individual FAFSAs must be fully processed (completed by the federal processor and made available to the school financial aid office).
IMPORTANT: We strongly encourage all students to check with their school’s financial aid office to determine their exact FAFSA deadline requirements, and to file their FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st.
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is used to determine the amount of money a family is expected to contribute to the price of attending a postsecondary institution. The results of the FAFSA are used in determining student grants, work study, and loan amounts.
FAFSA Eligibility
Nearly every student is eligible for some form of financial aid, including low-interest Federal Stafford and/or parent PLUS loans, regardless of income or circumstances, provided that you:
- are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national or an eligible non-citizen
- have a valid Social Security Number
- have a high school diploma or GED
- are registered with the U.S. Selective Service (if you are a male aged 18-25)
- complete a FAFSA promising to use any federal aid for educational purposes
- do not owe refunds on any federal student grants
- are not in default on any student loans
- have not been found guilty of the sale or possession of illegal drugs during a period in which federal aid was being received.
Applying for Aid...FAFSA is step #1
To be considered for federal financial aid, you must complete and submit a FAFSA. Additionally, most states, colleges and universities use the FAFSA to award other types of institutional financial aid, including state- and college-sponsored financial aid, such as grants, educational loans, and work-study programs.
(Note: In addition to the FAFSA, some states/colleges require additional forms or applications for aid. Check with your school’s financial aid office for any state- and/or school-specific requirements.)
FAFSA Deadlines
Many states, colleges and universities have filing deadlines that are much earlier—some occurring as early as the first few weeks in January. Additionally, applicants have to pay particular attention to deadline specifics, as some refer to the date by which individual FAFSAs must be submitted (Transaction Receipt Date), while others refer to the date by which individual FAFSAs must be fully processed (completed by the federal processor and made available to the school financial aid office).
IMPORTANT: We strongly encourage all students to check with their school’s financial aid office to determine their exact FAFSA deadline requirements, and to file their FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st.
Information needed to complete the FAFSA
You will need records of income earned in the year prior to when you will start school. You may also need records of your parents' income information if you are a dependent student.
For the 2012-2013 school year you will need financial information from 2011. You may need to refer to:
Keep these records! You may need them again. Do not mail your records to Federal Student Aid.
You will need records of income earned in the year prior to when you will start school. You may also need records of your parents' income information if you are a dependent student.
For the 2012-2013 school year you will need financial information from 2011. You may need to refer to:
- Your Social Security card. It is important that you enter your Social Security Number correctly!
- Your driver's license (if any)
- Your 2011 W-2 forms and other records of money earned
- Your (and if married, your spouse's) 2011 Federal Income Tax Return.
- IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ
- Foreign Tax Return, or
- Tax Return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federal States of Micronesia, or Palau
- Your Parents' 2011 Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
- Your 2011 untaxed income records
- Your current bank statements
- Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records
- Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Keep these records! You may need them again. Do not mail your records to Federal Student Aid.
Steps to create a FAFSA PIN
1. Go to pin.ed.gov online and look at the toolbar on the left side. Find the link entitled "Apply for a Pin" and click it, which takes you to an overview page with general information about the application process.
2. Select Next
3. Enter your personal information. This includes Social Security number, first and last name, middle initial, and birth date, address, and email information.
4. Select a challenge question from the drop-down menu and provide an answer. Make sure you provide an answer you can remember, as you may need to use this information to log in at a later date.
5. Create your own four-digit PIN number if you wish. If not, skip this step and submit your PIN application. Select the display pin now option so that they will show you the PIN you created or were assigned. Please print out that page!
6. Click Next
7. Click on I agree
8. Click on Submit My Pin Application
9. Write Down Your Pin Reference Number
10. Retrieve your PIN after the government sends it to the email address you provided. (This is only because they verify your information before your PIN becomes official!) This could take a day or two. Keep the number in a safe place, as it will stay with you throughout your college career.
11. If you plan on applying for financial aid for the school of your choice through the FAFSA, you must also create a PIN for one of your parents using their information (name/social security/address/etc.). If you or your parent are not comfortable giving out their personal information, you may still submit your FAFSA, but through the “mail-in” method. If you choose this option, you must print out a signature page and have your parent sign it, then mail it in to the address listed on the sheet.
1. Go to pin.ed.gov online and look at the toolbar on the left side. Find the link entitled "Apply for a Pin" and click it, which takes you to an overview page with general information about the application process.
2. Select Next
3. Enter your personal information. This includes Social Security number, first and last name, middle initial, and birth date, address, and email information.
4. Select a challenge question from the drop-down menu and provide an answer. Make sure you provide an answer you can remember, as you may need to use this information to log in at a later date.
5. Create your own four-digit PIN number if you wish. If not, skip this step and submit your PIN application. Select the display pin now option so that they will show you the PIN you created or were assigned. Please print out that page!
6. Click Next
7. Click on I agree
8. Click on Submit My Pin Application
9. Write Down Your Pin Reference Number
10. Retrieve your PIN after the government sends it to the email address you provided. (This is only because they verify your information before your PIN becomes official!) This could take a day or two. Keep the number in a safe place, as it will stay with you throughout your college career.
11. If you plan on applying for financial aid for the school of your choice through the FAFSA, you must also create a PIN for one of your parents using their information (name/social security/address/etc.). If you or your parent are not comfortable giving out their personal information, you may still submit your FAFSA, but through the “mail-in” method. If you choose this option, you must print out a signature page and have your parent sign it, then mail it in to the address listed on the sheet.