Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form that must be submitted annually in order to apply for financial aid. The easiest way to file the FAFSA is online at FAFSA.gov. After filing your FAFSA, your college will be able to tell you which scholarships and grants you could receive as well as how much money you can borrow in student loans.
All students seeking financial aid must complete a FAFSA. It’s now available earlier than in prior years; you can file beginning October 1.
Be sure to complete the FAFSA before April 15 to be considered for most forms of state aid, including the Frank O'Bannon Higher Education Award. If students file after April 15 - they will still be eligible for federal and institutional aid.
Please Note: The state priority deadline to file your FAFSA has been extended to Monday, April 18!
FAFSA School Code
Did you know you can complete the FAFSA via the myStudentAid mobile app?
Check out he video below for more information!
Students need to complete a new FAFSA for each academic year. See below for a breakdown of which semesters are covered by which FAFSA and which tax return you need when applying. You will need to apply for your FAFSA for both years.
FAFSA | Semesters Covered | Tax Return Needed |
---|---|---|
2021-2022 | Fall 2021 | 2019 |
Spring 2022 | 2019 | |
Summer 2022 | 2019 | |
2022-2023 | Fall 2022 | 2020 |
Spring 2023 | 2020 | |
Summer 2023 | 2020 |
For most tax filers, the easiest way to provide this information is by using the IRS data retrieval tool, which downloads the necessary tax information from the IRS directly into the FAFSA. It saves time and reduces the likelihood that you’ll be selected for verification. Read more about the IRS data retrieval tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the FAFSA?
- The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form that must be submitted annually in order to apply for financial aid. The easiest way to file the FAFSA is online at FAFSA.gov. After filing your FAFSA, your college will be able to tell you which scholarships and grants you could receive as well as how much money you can borrow in student loans.
- What is the deadline?
- You can file the FAFSA beginning October 1. Be sure to get your FAFSA filed no later than April 15 to be considered for state grant programs. FAFSAs submitted after April 15 will not be considered for state grants, and corrections must be completed by May 15. FAFSAs filed after April 15 will still allow students to qualify for federal and institutional aid.
- Why do I need to file my taxes before filing a FAFSA?
- Filing your taxes before you complete your FAFSA will allow you to use the IRS data retrieval tool - making completion quick and easy. The IRS data retrieval tool reduces errors and the likelihood of being selected for verification by directly importing the correct tax information onto the FAFSA.
- Who should file the FAFSA?
- Anyone seeking aid for upcoming school semesters should file the FAFSA. Even if you're not sure if you will enroll, or you are currently in college - filing the FAFSA ensures you have the opportunity for aid if needed.
- What information do I need in order to file the FAFSA?
- If you are under age 24, you will need your parents’ information as well as your own. The information you will need for the FAFSA includes:
- Your Social Security Number (or alien registration number/permanent resident card, if you’re not a U. S. Citizen)
- Your driver’s license number, if you have one
- Your tax return information or records of earnings (and W-2 forms), and recent bank statements
- Some students will need to include parent information on their FAFSA. Click here to see the federal definition of dependency status for financial aid purposes.
- If you are under age 24, you will need your parents’ information as well as your own. The information you will need for the FAFSA includes: