Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
To be eligible for federal aid, every 12th grade student should complete a FAFSA application for the school year they will start college. The application opens October 1st and it is best if a student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) go through it together. Even if one does not believe they will be awarded any federal aid, many colleges require FAFSA completion before the college/university may award their own institutional aid. The FAFSA takes usually 25-60 minutes to complete and it can be saved at any point. This application must be completed every year to see if one is eligible for federal aid the next school year.
The FAFSA application may be found at https://fafsa.ed.gov/ and the website is mobile-friendly. Federal Student Aid's mobile app myStudentAid can also be used to complete the application.
Prior to starting the application, students AND parents/guardians should create an FSA ID, which will serve as an electronic signature. It may take up to three days to receive an ID, so plan ahead. It takes about 5-10 minutes to create an FSA ID; create one by accessing https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
The Federal Student Aid office has created a webpage, https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out, to help prepare individuals for the process and it details where to access help while completing the FAFSA.
College Board also has information about the FAFSA: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial-aid-101/how-to-complete-the-fafsa
If you are thinking "I don't need to fill out the FAFSA because...", read this resource.
More resources can be found at FutureMakers Coalition.
The FAFSA application may be found at https://fafsa.ed.gov/ and the website is mobile-friendly. Federal Student Aid's mobile app myStudentAid can also be used to complete the application.
Prior to starting the application, students AND parents/guardians should create an FSA ID, which will serve as an electronic signature. It may take up to three days to receive an ID, so plan ahead. It takes about 5-10 minutes to create an FSA ID; create one by accessing https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
The Federal Student Aid office has created a webpage, https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out, to help prepare individuals for the process and it details where to access help while completing the FAFSA.
College Board also has information about the FAFSA: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial-aid-101/how-to-complete-the-fafsa
If you are thinking "I don't need to fill out the FAFSA because...", read this resource.
More resources can be found at FutureMakers Coalition.
Tips for Completing the FAFSA
While completing the FAFSA, be aware of the following:
- BDCHS expects all eligible students to complete the FAFSA by October 31
- Florida FAFSA submission deadline: Florida deadline May 15, 2022; Federal deadline June 30, 2022; College deadline varies
- Incomplete FAFSA applications are deleted after 45 days of inaction
- Complete it for the correct school year (the year you will be in college)
- The application must be completed yearly
- Enter the correct social security number (SSN)
- Entering a driver’s license is optional; however, it can help verify your information
- Click here for information about Federal Work Study
- Click here for information about Selective Service
- Add up to 10 colleges you are interested in
- Adding them now will mean the school will get your information quicker and they may process your financial aid package sooner
- If you want to list more than 10, call the Federal Student Aid Info Center and provide your data retrieval number (on your SAR)
- You must list a Florida college to be considered for some state grant aid
- After submitting the FAFSA, check back to get your Student Aid Report (SAR)
- FAFSA processing takes ~3-5 days
- If selected for verification, contact your college/university to understand what to do
- The application can be saved by using your FSA ID or your information and a save key (which the student creates)
- Parents/guardians can complete their part of the FAFSA by entering their own FSA ID, the student’s information, and the save key
- Parent’s citizenship status does not affect eligibility for federal student aid (the application does not ask for it)
- No SSN for parent: Enter all zeroes
- He/she cannot create an FSA ID, so the signature page at the end of the FAFSA must be completed and sent instead
- No SSN for student:
- He/she cannot create an FSA ID
- Undocumented students (including DACA and Dreamers) are not eligible for federal student aid
- A student can print and complete the paper FAFSA and give it to colleges though
- DACA students with a SSN can complete the FAFSA and colleges will use the FAFSA information to determine qualification for institutional aid
- Click the following links for Financial Aid and Undocumented Students, citizenship status and its impact on federal aid, how to complete the FAFSA for eligible noncitizens, or the United We Dream's "A reference guide for DACA recipients"
FAFSA Videos
Watch the following short videos for more information about the financial aid process, FAFSA, FSA ID, and what happens after submitting the FAFSA:
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