How do I check the status of my FAFSA form?

After submitting your FAFSA form, it’s normal for you to wonder about its status and what happens next.

Here is how to check your FAFSA application status, access your details, and understand the processing timeline.

How Do I Check the Status of My FAFSA Form?

There are two primary ways to check the status of your FAFSA form, depending on how you submitted it:

  1. Online Submission: If you submitted your FAFSA online through the Federal Student Aid official website, you can check its status immediately. This is how to go about it:
    • Visit the studentaid.gov website and log in using your FSA ID.
    • Scroll to the “My Aid” section or the “My FAFSA” page.
    • Your FAFSA application status will be displayed there.
  2. Paper Submission: If you submitted a paper FAFSA application, you will need to wait for it to be processed before checking its status online. This normally takes around 7-10 business days from the mailing date. Once processed, you can follow the same steps mentioned above for online submissions to check the status.

How Do I See My FAFSA Details?

The “My FAFSA” page on the Federal Student Aid website allows you to view various details about your application. This includes:

  1. The date you submitted the FAFSA form.
  2. Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is a number calculated based on your financial information and determines your eligibility for federal student aid.
  3. The schools you listed on your application.
  4. Any outstanding information or corrections needed.

How Long Does it Take for My FAFSA to Be Processed?

The processing time for your FAFSA application can vary depending on several factors, including:

  1. The submission method: Applications submitted online are generally processed faster than paper applications.
  2. The completeness of your application: Applications with missing information or inconsistencies will take longer to process.
  3. Verification: In some cases, the Department of Education may need to verify your income information with the IRS. This can add additional time to the processing period.

Normally, all electronically submitted FAFSA forms are processed within 3-5 business days.

Paper applications take slightly longer, around 7-10 business days after being received.

You can check your application status using the methods mentioned above to get a more accurate timeframe.

What to Expect After Your FAFSA Form Is Processed

Once your FAFSA is processed, several things will happen:

  1. The schools you listed will receive your FAFSA data. They will use this information to determine your financial aid eligibility and award package.
  2. You may receive an email notification from the Department of Education informing you that your FAFSA has been processed.
  3. The schools you listed will contact you with their financial aid award offer. This usually happens within a few weeks of your FAFSA being processed. The award letter will detail the types and amounts of financial aid you are eligible for, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.

FAFSA does not automatically guarantee financial aid. Each college has its own financial aid policies and deadlines for accepting award offers. 

You must make sure to review your award letters carefully, understand the terms and conditions of each aid type, and meet any deadlines to accept or decline the offered aid.