University Ranking — By Students For Students

University Reviews Guide to Completing the FAFSA® Form

Applying for financial aid is a key part of your educational journey, and completing the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form is an essential step in that process. The University Reviews team is here to walk you through each stage, offering clear, practical advice to make the process as straightforward as possible. Whether you’re applying for the first time or updating an existing application, this guide is designed to meet your specific needs.

1. Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account

The very first step is setting up a StudentAid.gov account. Each person who needs to provide information on your FAFSA—whether it’s you, your parents, or your spouse—must create their own account. We recommend doing this early to avoid delays later on. Be sure to enter your information exactly as it appears on official documents, especially your Social Security number, to prevent any issues down the line.

2. Gathering All Required Documents

Before you start filling out the FAFSA form, gather all the necessary documents to make the process smoother. You’ll need:

Social Security numbers (yours and your parents’, if applicable)
Tax returns from the relevant year
Records of untaxed income (e.g., child support)
Bank account balances and any investment information

Remember, completing the FAFSA is completely free. If you’re asked for payment, you’re on the wrong website.

3. Getting Help Along the Way

If you find yourself stuck or unsure about how to proceed, help is readily available:

Use the question mark icons within the online form for detailed explanations.
Visit the FAFSA® Help section for an extensive FAQ.
Chat with Aidan®, the virtual assistant, or reach out to the Federal Student Aid Information Center for direct support.
Contact your school’s financial aid office for personalized advice.

4. Starting Your FAFSA® Application

FAFSA forms become available each year, and it's crucial to submit yours early to meet various deadlines. Whether you’re filling it out online or on paper, be sure to select the correct school year—especially if you’re applying for aid for a summer session.

5. Listing Colleges and Career Schools

You’ll need to list at least one college or career school to receive your FAFSA information. Schools use this data to determine your eligibility for aid. You can list up to 20 schools online, so don’t hesitate to include all the schools you’re considering, even if you haven’t been accepted yet. Use the School Search feature to ensure accuracy.

6. Understanding Your Dependency Status

Your dependency status determines whether you need to provide your parents’ financial information. The FAFSA form will guide you through questions to establish your status. If you’re classified as a dependent student, you’ll be required to report your parents’ information.

7. Including Parents’ Information

If you’re a dependent student, including your parents’ financial information is a must. If you’re unsure about who qualifies as a parent for FAFSA purposes, we have detailed guidance available to clarify this.

8. Reporting Spouse’s Information

If you’re married, you may need to include your spouse’s financial information, depending on how you filed your taxes and your current marital status.

9. Filling in Financial Information

The FAFSA will ask for financial details, including tax information and the current balances of your savings and checking accounts. Usually, you’ll provide information from the prior-prior year’s tax return (e.g., for the 2024–25 FAFSA, you’ll use 2022 tax data). If your financial situation has changed since then, contact your school’s financial aid office after submitting the FAFSA to discuss potential adjustments.

10. Signing and Submitting Your FAFSA® Form

Once all sections are complete, you and any required contributors must electronically sign the FAFSA using your FSA ID. The form isn’t officially submitted until all signatures are in place. After submission, you’ll receive a confirmation page with key information, including an estimate of your Student Aid Index.

11. What Happens After Submission

Submitting the FAFSA is just the beginning. Stay on top of your financial aid by monitoring your email for updates and following up with the financial aid offices of the schools you’re applying to.

Additional Resources

Understanding Dependency Status: Learn how your status impacts your FAFSA.
Parent Information Guidance: Detailed instructions for including your parents’ financial details.
Correcting Your FAFSA®: How to fix errors on your submitted form.
Types of Financial Aid: Discover the various financial aid options available to you.
FAFSA® Help: Where to turn if you need extra support.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about our rankings? Here are some of the most commonly posed questions.

What is the FAFSA®, and why is it important?

The FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a form that determines your eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. Completing the FAFSA® is crucial because it’s the first step in securing financial support for your college or career school education. Without submitting the FAFSA®, you could miss out on federal aid, state aid, and even some forms of institutional aid offered by colleges.

When should I complete the FAFSA®?

You should complete the FAFSA® as soon as possible after it becomes available on October 1st each year. Many states and colleges have financial aid deadlines that are much earlier than the federal deadline. Submitting your FAFSA® early increases your chances of receiving aid, as some types of financial assistance are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Do I need to fill out the FAFSA® every year?

Yes, you must fill out the FAFSA® every year you want to receive financial aid. This is because your financial situation, dependency status, and the available aid can change from year to year. Updating your FAFSA® annually ensures that you receive the maximum amount of aid for which you’re eligible.

Who qualifies as a dependent student on the FAFSA®?

A dependent student is typically an undergraduate student under the age of 24 who does not meet any of the criteria for independence, such as being married, having children, or being a veteran. Dependent students are required to include their parents’ financial information on the FAFSA® to determine their eligibility for federal student aid.

Can I still submit the FAFSA® if my parents refuse to provide their information?

If your parents refuse to provide their information, you can still submit the FAFSA®, but it will only qualify you for unsubsidized federal student loans. Without parental information, you won’t be eligible for grants or subsidized loans. In special circumstances, such as cases of parental abuse, you may be able to apply for a dependency override by contacting your school’s financial aid office.

What happens if I make a mistake on my FAFSA®?

If you make a mistake on your FAFSA®, you can correct it by logging into your account on StudentAid.gov and selecting “Make FAFSA® Corrections.” You can update most sections, including your financial information and the list of schools you want to receive your FAFSA® data. It’s important to make corrections as soon as possible to avoid delays in your financial aid processing.

How do I know which year’s tax information to use for the FAFSA®?

The FAFSA® requires tax information from the prior-prior year. For example, for the 2024-2025 school year, you will use your 2022 tax return information. If your financial situation has significantly changed since that tax year, you should still submit the FAFSA® with the required information, but you can then contact your school’s financial aid office to discuss your current circumstances.

What is the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, and should I use it?

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is an option within the FAFSA® that allows you to automatically transfer your tax return information directly from the IRS into your FAFSA® form. Using the DRT is highly recommended because it reduces errors and simplifies the verification process, saving you time and effort.

How do I list more than 10 schools on my FAFSA®?

The online FAFSA® form allows you to list up to 20 schools. If you need to add more than 10 schools initially, you can submit the form with the first 10, wait until the form is processed, and then log back in to remove some schools and add new ones. Schools that have already received your FAFSA® information will retain it, even if you replace them with other institutions.

What is the difference between a grant and a loan?

A grant is a form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid, making it highly desirable. Grants are often based on financial need, such as the Federal Pell Grant. A loan, on the other hand, is borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Federal student loans typically have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options compared to private loans.

Washington University

Location: St. Louis, MO

Ranking: #19 Nationally

Founded: 1853

University of Texas

Location: Austin, TX

Ranking: #38 Nationally

Founded: 1883

University of Tampa

Location: Tampa, FL

Ranking: #13 Regionally

Founded: 1931

Stanford University

Location: Stanford, CA

Ranking: #3 Nationally

Founded: 1885

Purdue University

Location: West Lafayette, IN

Ranking: #53 Nationally

Founded: 1869

Financial Aid