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FAFSA

What Is It?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a required document for most student aid packages, public and private. It is the only form the federal government uses to calculate your financial need and should be the first financial aid form that you file. The FAFSA form is probably the most critical form you will ever complete in your college career. To qualify for the maximum amount of federal financial aid each year, including loans, students must complete and submit the FAFSA to the U.S. Department of Education annually. Submitting this vital financial aid form determines your eligibility to receive federal financial aid as well as scholarships, grants, and other aid opportunities. You should submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible to ensure that your application will be processed in time. While not required, it is strongly recommended that all college-bound students complete one.

By filling out the FAFSA you will receive a SAR (Student Aid Report) including a very critical number: The EFC (Expected Family Contribution). In plain language, the EFC is the government’s opinion of how much money you and your family should be expected to contribute to your college education before receiving financial aid.

Even if you don't think you will receive or need government-based funds, you should still fill out the form: Many schools use it for determining eligibility for scholarships and other school-based financial aid.

The FAFSA comes in both paper and electronic versions. The paper version is often available in high school guidance offices, public libraries and/or the Financial Aid Ofice at colleges. You can also get a paper copy of the FAFSA by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (433-3243).

A better method is to complete and submit the FAFSA online at fafsa.ed.gov. This is the easiest way to apply for federal aid. Additionally, the form is checked for errors before it is submitted for processing, so there's less chance of making a mistake. Even better, filing the FAFSA online can reduce processing time by 1-2 weeks.