About the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form the U.S. Department of Education (ED) requires to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The government conducts a "need analysis" based on financial information, such as income, assets and other family information, which you (and your parents if you are a dependent student) will be asked to provide.
The first step in financing a college education at an institution accepting federal funds is to file the FAFSA. The FAFSA is considered the gateway to college access for many students. Statistics show that students completing the FAFSA process are more likely to enroll and complete college than those who do not complete the form.
The FAFSA is the application most colleges use to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs.
All college students are expected to contribute towards their education costs. How much you and your family will be expected to contribute depends on your financial situation and your EFC.
Your application is examined by a federal processor and the results are sent by computer to the financial aid offices of the colleges you've chosen.
Eligibility
Nearly every student is eligible for some form of financial aid, including low-interest Federal Stafford and/or parent PLUS loans, regardless of income or circumstances, provided that you:
- are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or an eligible non-citizen
- have a valid Social Security Number
- have a high school diploma or GED
- are registered with the U.S. Selective Service (if you are a male ages 18 to 25)
- complete a FAFSA promising to use any federal aid for educational purposes
- do not owe refunds on any federal student grants
- are not in default on any student loans
- and have not been found guilty of the sale or possession of illegal drugs during a period when you received federal student aid.
Learn more about the FAFSA process and important deadlines.