How To Fill Out the FAFSA Form

FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal grants, scholarships, and work-study programs, potentially saving you thousands of dollars. 

So knowing how to fill out your FAFSA form accurately and efficiently can help to greatly increase your eligibility for these grants, scholarships, and student loans. 

How To Fill Out the FAFSA Form

These are all of the steps you need to follow to complete the FAFSA Form:

1. Gather Your Documents:

Before starting the application, collect the necessary documents. These typically include:

  1. Your Social Security Number (SSN)
  2. Your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID (explained in the next section)
  3. Your driver’s license number (optional)
  4. Tax return information for yourself and your parents (if you are a dependent student)
  5. Records of untaxed income (e.g., Social Security benefits)
  6. Records of investments and assets

2. Create an FSA ID:

An FSA ID is your username and password for accessing federal student aid resources, including the FAFSA form.

Both students and parents (if applicable) need their own FSA IDs. You can create an FSA ID on the official Federal Student Aid website.

The process is quick and requires basic information like your SSN, date of birth, and email address.

3. Start Your FAFSA Application:

Visit the Federal Student Aid website and scroll to the FAFSA application section.

You can choose to either “Start New Form” or “Renew” your FAFSA, depending on if you have applied in previous years.

Remember, it’s best to complete the FAFSA as early as possible after October 1st of the year preceding your desired enrollment date.

4. Complete the FAFSA Form:

The FAFSA form itself is a series of questions that gather information about your financial situation. These questions may include:

  1. Your demographic information (name, date of birth, etc.)
  2. Your educational background (high school graduation, previous college attendance, etc.)
  3. Your enrollment plans (school choices, program of study, etc.)
  4. Your financial information (income, assets, etc.)
  5. Your dependency status (dependent on parents or independent)

5. List Your Schools:

The FAFSA allows you to list up to 20 colleges you are interested in attending.

This is important because the FAFSA electronically transmits your financial aid information to the schools you list.

6. Review and Submit:

Once you’ve completed all sections of the FAFSA, carefully review your application for any errors or inconsistencies.

After confirming everything is accurate, submit your FAFSA electronically.

7. Monitor Your Status:

You can track the status of your FAFSA application by logging into your account on the Federal Student Aid website.

This allows you to see if your application has been processed and if your schools have received your financial aid information.

Where do I create an FAFSA ID?

You can create your FSA ID at the Federal Student Aid website. 

This username and password combination will be used for all federal student aid applications, not just the FAFSA.

It’s recommended to create your FSA ID well before you begin the FAFSA application process.

Can I create a FAFSA account?

There isn’t a separate FAFSA account. The FSA ID serves as your login for the FAFSA application and other federal student aid resources as well. 

Once you create your FSA ID, you can access and manage your FAFSA application electronically.