8 STEPS TO COMPLETING THE FAFSA
Completing the FAFSA is the first step to obtaining federal student aid to pay for your college or career school.
1. Create an FSA ID.
If you are a student, an FSA ID is your account username and password. If you do not have an FSA ID, you can create one here.
If you are a parent, you need to create your own FSA ID to sign your child's FAFSA form online. You can create a FSA here.
2. Start the FAFSA form at fafsa.gov
The 2022-2023 FAFSA form launched October 1st. Click here to start the FAFSA.
3. Fill out the Student Demographics section.
Parents: Remember that the FAFSA form in the student's application and not yours. When the FAFSA form says "you" or "your," it is referring to the student (unless otherwise noted).
4. List the schools that will receive your FAFSA information.
Be sure to add every school you're considering, even if you have not sent in your application or received an acceptance letter. You are able to add up to 10 schools at a time. You can remove schools at any time to make room for new schools.
5. Answer the dependency status questions.
Learn about dependency status and whether you're a dependent or independent student.
6. Fill out the Parent Demographic section.
You still must report information about your parents if you are a dependent student.
7. Provide your financial information.
This is simple if you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). The IRS DRT allows you to import your IRS tax information into the FAFSA form with just a few clicks.
8. Sign and submit your FAFSA form.
You are not finished with the FAFSA form until you and your parent sign the form with your FSA ID.
*The information above is provided by the US Department of Education. Find more detailed information here.
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Check out Washington University - St. Louis presentation Financial Aid 101
Financial Aid 101 explains:
-documents needed to complete the FAFSA
-the difference between need-based and merit scholarships - and how to apply for both
-how to calculate and use an expected family contribution (EFC) to estimate a financial aid award
-how scholarships, student loans, and a campus job opportunity work together in a financial aid award
-how to communicate with the financial aid office to make sure families have the resources they need to attend the college of their choice