Summary:
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the official U.S. government form that students submit to apply for financial aid for college. It determines eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs, and is also used by many states and colleges to award additional aid.
What Is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is a free online form administered by the U.S. Department of Education. It collects financial information from students and their families to calculate how much the family is expected to contribute to college costs. Based on this data, the government and many colleges decide how much financial aid—including need-based grants, federal student loans, and work-study opportunities—a student is eligible to receive.
The FAFSA must be filled out every year a student wants to receive aid and is used for applying to two-year and four-year colleges, universities, and vocational schools in the U.S.
Who Should Submit the FAFSA?
All U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens (such as permanent residents) should submit the FAFSA if they want to be considered for financial aid. Some colleges also require the FAFSA for merit-based scholarships or institutional aid.
International students are generally not eligible for federal aid through the FAFSA. However, some colleges still request that international students fill it out for internal purposes or recommend completing the CSS Profile, a separate financial aid application for non-federal aid.
What Information Does the FAFSA Require?
The FAFSA asks for:
- Personal and demographic information
- Social Security numbers (for eligible applicants)
- Income and tax information from the student and parents
- Information on family size and number of college students
- Details about assets, such as savings or investments
The form calculates a number called the Student Aid Index (SAI), which colleges use to determine how much aid a student should receive.
Deadlines and Submission
The FAFSA opens each year on October 1 (starting in 2024–25, expected opening is delayed to December), and students are encouraged to apply early. Each state and college may have its own priority deadline, often in the winter or early spring. Missing deadlines can reduce the amount of aid awarded.