Financial aid is an important resource designed to help students and families manage the costs associated with higher education and is available in a variety of ways including grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans.
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- Filing the FAFSA 2025-2026: A Simple Guide for Students
- FAFSA FAQ - Your FAFSA Questions Answered
- The complete guide to federal undergraduate student loans
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- Financial Aid for Graduate School
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Home » Student Loans » FAFSA
FAFSA
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You may be wondering how you can afford to go to college. Financial aid is a way for you to get money to help cover the cost of your education. Financial aid comes in different forms such as grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans. This money is provided to you to make college more affordable and accessible.
Understand how and when to file the FAFSA, and get answers to the most common questions students and parents encounter when applying for federal financial aid.
Most Popular FAFSA Articles
FAFSA Deadlines for 2025-2026
Updated on
FAFSA deadlines can vary. The FAFSA for the 2026-2027 academic year opens on October 1st and remains open until June 30, 2027. However to improve your chances of getting more aid, file as soon as you can and certainly well before any applicable deadlines noted below.
FAFSA at Any Income Level
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Some wealthy parents ask whether it is worthwhile to apply for financial aid if they earn a high income. Every student should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year, even if he or she did not receive any other types of aid during the previous year.
FAFSA Dependency Status Questions
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When you file the FAFSA you will either file as a dependent or independent student. Here's how to figure out your dependency status when it comes to filing the FAFSA.
FAFSA
The information provided on the FAFSA is used by a school to assess a student’s financial need and to determine their eligible for federal student aid.
Parents are sometimes unwilling to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and/or other financial aid forms. But, parental information is required on the FAFSA of a dependent student, so a dependent student will not be able to qualify for need-based federal student aid without his or her parent’s help. There are many reasons why a parent may be unwilling to complete the FAFSA.
Some students will file the FAFSA, but won’t qualify for need-based student aid such as grants, scholarships that require financial need, and subsidized federal student loans. For example, more than half of undergraduate students who file the FAFSA don’t qualify for a Federal Pell Grant or other federal grants. But you do have options if you didn’t receive any need-based aid.
Check to see if your school participates in federal student aid. If you they do, you will likely need to complete the FAFSA. There are some basic eligibility criteria you need to meet to qualify to receive federal aid. Eligibility requirements include:...
The FAFSA application is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal student aid, it’s free to complete and submit. Based on the information provided on the FAFSA, you may be offered a federal student loan, if accepted, you will have to repay the loan.
You don’t claim “dependents” on the FAFSA. The FAFSA will ask you to verify household size and the rules for who is in your household are far different than the tax rules used by the IRS to determine a dependent for tax purposes.
FAFSA Application
Wondering if you are eligible for financial aid, if filling out the FAFSA will be helpful or not? We explain eligibility requirements for receiving financial aid.
Understand how and when to file the FAFSA, and get answers to the most common questions students and parents encounter when applying for federal financial aid.
FAFSA Deadlines for 2025-2026
Updated on
FAFSA deadlines can vary. The FAFSA for the 2026-2027 academic year opens on October 1st and remains open until June 30, 2027. However to improve your chances of getting more aid, file as soon as you can and certainly well before any applicable deadlines noted below.
Student Aid Index
Updated on
Starting in the 2024-2025 year, the EFC will be replaced with the Student Aid Index or SAI. Your SAI is calculated based on the information provided in the FAFSA.
FAFSA Dependency Status Questions
Updated on
When you file the FAFSA you will either file as a dependent or independent student. Here's how to figure out your dependency status when it comes to filing the FAFSA.
Who is My Parent When I Fill Out the FAFSA?
Updated on
If the FAFSA determines you are a dependent undergraduate student, you will need to provide one or both of your parent(s)’ information on the FAFSA.
FAFSA School Selection
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The school selection section of the FAFSA will allow you to list up to 20 schools at one time. You don't need to wait until you know where you're going to complete the FAFSA.
When filing the FAFSA® you will need to provide certain financial information, including income and tax information. Dependent students will also need to provide financial information for one or both parents depending on household status.
If you did not receive enough financial aid, you can file an appeal. An appeal allows you to request an increase in financial aid. To file an appeal, you will first need to contact the financial aid office for your school.
FSA ID: Your Key to FAFSA®
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The FSA ID (Federal Student Aid Identification) plays a vital role in the federal financial aid process, particularly when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). It serves as your personal key to accessing and managing your financial aid information securely.
FASFA Tips & Advice
Expected Family Contribution
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Expected family contribution is an index that determines how much financial aid you are eligible for. It’s important to understand what it is and how it effects how much you need to pay for college.
FAFSA at Any Income Level
Updated on
Some wealthy parents ask whether it is worthwhile to apply for financial aid if they earn a high income. Every student should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year, even if he or she did not receive any other types of aid during the previous year.
FAFSA® FAQ - Your FAFSA® Questions Answered
Updated on
FAFSA questions answered! Quick simple answers to the most common questions asked about the FAFSA.
If you did not receive enough financial aid, you can file an appeal. An appeal allows you to request an increase in financial aid. To file an appeal, you will first need to contact the financial aid office for your school.
Financial aid is money in the form of loans, scholarships, and grants that can help you pay for college. The most important action you can take when applying for financial aid is to file the FAFSA.
Merit vs Need-Based Financial Aid
Updated on
Financial aid can often be an important consideration for students and families managing the expenses of higher education. Financial aid can be broadly classified into two main categories: merit-based and need-based aid. Gaining a good understanding of these two types is vital for students and families looking to pay for college with the least amount of debt.
Do You Have to Pay Back Financial Aid
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Financial aid serves as an important resource for students looking to pursue higher education. A common question that arises when discussing financial aid is whether it needs to be paid back. This depends largely on the type of aid received.
Financial Aid Options for Graduate Students
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Financial aid can play a big role in supporting graduate students as they look to advance their studies. Many graduate programs can be expensive, and financial aid, whether in the form of grants, scholarships, or loans, can make these programs more accessible to a diverse range of students.
How Much Financial Aid Can You Expect
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Financial aid is important for making higher education accessible to a broader range of students. Through grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and student loans, financial aid can significantly reduce the financial burden on students and their families.
Financial aid is essential for a lot of students seeking a college degree. As the cost of tuition, books, and living expenses continues to rise, financial aid can significantly lighten the financial load. By obtaining more financial aid, students can reduce the need for part-time work, allowing them to dedicate more time and energy to their studies.
Financial aid generally can be used for “qualified educational expenses”. Knowing what constitutes as “qualified” or allowable expenses is important to know. Allowable expenses typically include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and sometimes room and board. These are costs that financial aid can be used to cover, ensuring you can focus on your studies without financial distractions.
The FAFSA®, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form that helps determine how much financial help you can get for college. It’s super important because it’s the key to accessing grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and federal student loans.
What Students Need to Know
Financial aid is money in the form of loans, scholarships, and grants that can help you pay for college. The most important action you can take when applying for financial aid is to file the FAFSA.
FAFSA Dependent vs. Independent
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The FAFSA will ask you questions to determine if you are a dependent or independent student for FAFSA purposes. This classification will determine if you need to provide parent information on your FAFSA, and could affect your financial aid eligibility.
FAFSA Dependency Override
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If you unable to obtain parental information, the FAFSA will display a list of ‘Unusual Circumstances’. If an unusual circumstance exists, you may be eligible for FAFSA dependency override.
FAFSA Dependency Status Questions
Updated on
When you file the FAFSA you will either file as a dependent or independent student. Here's how to figure out your dependency status when it comes to filing the FAFSA.
FAFSA School Selection
Updated on
The school selection section of the FAFSA will allow you to list up to 20 schools at one time. You don't need to wait until you know where you're going to complete the FAFSA.
FAFSA School Codes
Updated on
Federal School Codes are six-character alphanumeric codes that uniquely identify colleges and universities, you can look up the school code by just completing an electronic version on the FAFSA.
Wondering if you are eligible for financial aid, if filling out the FAFSA will be helpful or not? We explain eligibility requirements for receiving financial aid.
Student Aid Index
Updated on
Starting in the 2024-2025 year, the EFC will be replaced with the Student Aid Index or SAI. Your SAI is calculated based on the information provided in the FAFSA.
FAFSA at Any Income Level
Updated on
Some wealthy parents ask whether it is worthwhile to apply for financial aid if they earn a high income. Every student should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year, even if he or she did not receive any other types of aid during the previous year.
Financial aid refers to funding that students can receive to help cover the costs associated with their education. This support can come from various sources, including federal and state governments, educational institutions, and private organizations.
How Work-Study Can Help Pay for College
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Work-study programs can be an important part of many financial aid packages, designed to help students manage the cost of college while gaining valuable work experience. These programs offer students part-time employment opportunities, often on campus, allowing them to earn money to support their educational expenses.
Paying for college can be expensive, especially with rising costs for tuition, books, and housing. Many students face the challenge of figuring out how to cover these expenses without taking on too much debt.
What Parents Need to Know
Who is My Parent When I Fill Out the FAFSA?
Updated on
If the FAFSA determines you are a dependent undergraduate student, you will need to provide one or both of your parent(s)’ information on the FAFSA.
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