The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed to apply for federal and state financial aid. Many colleges and universities, especially public institutions, require the FAFSA. The FAFSA must be submitted every year to obtain financial aid for college.
How to Obtain the FAFSA
The FAFSA is available online from the Department of Education. Versions in PDF and paper versions are available. Students and parents can prepare for filing the FAFSA by getting organized prior to starting. A comprehensive resource to help students get started and best prepare for filling out the form is Fastweb’s FAFSA Checklist. It is advantageous to review all the requirements in advance in order to provide the necessary information for the submission. When students are ready to begin, the initial step is to create their and follow the FSA ID (English) and FSA ID (Spanish) instructions.
Complete the FAFSA process once you begin as soon as you can. Incomplete FAFSA applications, those started and not submitted will be deleted after 45 days of inactivity.
Videos that highlight the main actions for filing the FAFSA have been created by The Department of Education. Watch all the videos here: Federal Student Aid on You Tube.
2027-28 FAFSA
The 2027-28 FAFSA is scheduled for release on October 1, 2026.
How to Prepare for the FAFSA
The 2027–2028 FAFSA form opens on October 1, 2026. Get prepared by gathering the required documents in advance to ensure a smooth application process.
1. Personal Identification Documents
Social Security card and driver’s license, and/or Alien Registration card if you are not a U.S. citizen. Your FSA ID to electronically sign the form. If you don’t have one yet, you can create an FSA ID online. If you are a dependent student, at least one parent must also create an FSA ID. You will need your Social Security number and your own email address to create your FSA ID.
2. Tax Returns & Income Records (2025 Tax Year)
Your 2025 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. Most tax data will transfer automatically via the direct data exchange (FA-DDX) with the IRS once you give consent on the FAFSA. Your parents’ 2025 income tax returns, W-2 forms, and 1040 forms if you are a dependent student. Records and documentation of nontaxable income, such as child support received, veterans’ non-education benefits, welfare benefits, or military/clergy allowances (if applicable). Any additional applicable financial records, including taxable work-study earnings, assistantships, fellowships, taxable grant/scholarship aid reported to the IRS, or combat pay.
3. Financial Assets & Account Records
Current bank and brokerage account statements, including records of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments (if applicable). Business or investment farm records (if applicable). Records relating to unusual family financial circumstances. This includes anything that significantly impacts your family’s finances, such as high non-reimbursed medical expenses, dependent care costs, job loss, salary reductions, death, or divorce.
4. School Selection Information
Title IV Institution Codes for each school you plan to apply to. You can find these codes on the schools’ financial aid websites or search for them directly within the FAFSA application. If you are applying as a dependent – again, you are a dependent unless declared otherwise – one parent is required to sign as well. To electronically fill out your FAFSA online, your parent should apply for a FAFSA ID at the same site.
Get organized today download load your own: FAFSA Checklist.
FAFSA Filing Options
Financial aid applications, such as the FAFSA, should be submitted as soon as possible after the date they open each year. The FAFSA now permits the use of prior-prior tax year (PPY) tax information which allows for students and their families to fill out the FAFSA form as soon as it’s open. It’s important to keep in mind that to meet the deadlines for most states you should submit the form no later than March 1st, with February 15th being ideal. Learn more here about 2027-28 Financial Aid and FAFSA State Deadlines.
Some states want more students to fill out the FAFSA to qualify for aid and are making completing the FAFSA mandatory in order to graduate from high school. Do not wait until income tax returns are filed with the IRS. You should either estimate your income – you’ll have a chance to correct errors later – or complete your tax returns early. If one or both parents do not have a social security number, the Department of Education has provided provisions for the FAFSA submission. Review the provisions in this notice: How To Submit the FAFSA® Form if Your Contributor Doesn’t Have an SSN
Student Aid Index (SAI) Calculator
Beginning with the 2024-25 FAFSA filing period, the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) released a new methodology that provides an estimate of the new Student Aid Index (SAI) and revised federal Pell Grant eligibility calculation. Students, parents and educators can now utilize the calculator to estimate federal financial aid: Student Aid Index (SAI) Calculator
FAFSA resources and tools for students, parents and educators
Financial Aid Guides
- 2027-28 FAFSA Checklist: Documents & Information You Need
- States that Require the FAFSA Completion
- National Student Aid Profile: Overview of 2026 Federal Programs
- Resources from National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) for 2024-25 FAFSA update.
- Student Aid Reference Desk – Direct links to important financial aid regulations, legislation, research, and other key resources.
- Knowledge Center (formerly IFAP) – Library of information articles and resources for various federal student aid topics.
- Everything You Need to Know About Creating a StudentAid.gov Account
Spanish Resources from StudentAid.gov:
- Vea y descargue recursos de la oficina de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes
- Todo lo que necesita saber sobre la creación de una cuenta StudentAid.gov
- la Better Fafsa Toolkit Educadores y Consejeros
