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.