The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the form students complete to apply for federal financial aid. FAFSA results also determine eligibility for most state aid and are used by many colleges to award institutional aid. Completing the FAFSA is free and essential for maximizing financial aid.
Information Required
The FAFSA asks about student and parent income, assets, family size, and number of family members in college. The form uses "prior-prior year" income data (two years before the academic year). The process has been simplified for the 2024-25 aid year onward.
Timeline
The FAFSA opens October 1 for the following academic year. Federal deadline is June 30, but state and school deadlines are often much earlier. Apply as soon as possible since some aid is limited.