Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to apply for federal financial aid. By submitting FAFSA forms, students become eligible for federal loans, grants, and work-study funds. Applicants must provide financial information alongside demographic details.
FAFSA must be filled out every academic year for as long as students are in school. Applicants must be citizens of the United States or eligible non-U.S. citizens, hold a valid Social Security number, and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Alongside federal grants, loans, and work-study aid, the FAFSA is also used to determine eligibility for state and institutional scholarships.
How Does the FAFSA Work?
To fill out an online FAFSA, students must first create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. When applying, students need a Social Security number, details about family and personal income, and a list of their prospective schools. After filling it out, students should double-check the form to ensure accuracy. After the form is digitally signed, all selected schools will receive the application.
Once the Department of Education has evaluated their applications, each candidate receives an offer of aid, which varies by student. Financial aid options include loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study awards, all of which a student can accept or reject. After accepting aid, each learner receives a notification of the disbursement date.
Students also receive an expected family contribution (EFC) number, which is the amount of money the FAFSA determined that the student or their family could afford to pay toward college tuition. The amount of aid a student receives is directly tied to their EFC.
What Kinds of Aid Can I Qualify For?
By submitting FAFSA forms, students apply for federal loans, grants, and work-study funds. The amount of financial aid they receive varies significantly based on individual circumstances.
Grants: Federal grants are financial awards that recipients do not need to repay, provided they adhere to the grant's conditions. Individuals within specific demographic groups, such as women and minorities, can often receive grants specific to them. Individual states and institutions also offer grants.
Loans: Loans offered through FAFSA fall into several categories. Students can receive loans based on factors like cost of attendance or financial need. Recipients must repay loans after graduation, and each type of loan carries different repayment requirements.
Work-Study: Work-study programs offer students money in exchange for working on campus. Only some jobs qualify as work-study positions, and most institutions limit the number of hours a student can work each week.
Some schools use the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA.
The profile is completed through the College Board. Families will use cssprofile.collegeboard.org to find out more and to file the form.
To figure out if your school requires the CSS Profile, check both the site linked above for the most updated list and each college's website. Look under the Financial Aid section to find out the required applications (FAFSA / WASFA only or FAFSA and CSS Profile) and the deadlines.
State Financial Aid for Undocumented Students and Other Select Applicants
The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for people who don’t file a federal FAFSA application. If you have completed the FAFSA, you have already applied for federal and state financial aid and do not need to complete the WASFA unless your college asks you to.
A person should complete the WASFA if they are undocumented or do not qualify for federal financial aid because of their immigration status. The WASFA can also be used in limited circumstances by other select applicants who cannot or choose not to file a FAFSA.
People who complete a WASFA are applying only for state aid. If you are eligible for federal aid, you should complete the FAFSA in order to maximize financial aid awards.
To find out if you qualify for state financial aid, complete the free WASFA. Your college or program will let you know if you meet state financial aid requirements after they review your WASFA. Be sure to check your email regularly for communications from your college or training program.
