Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free—and it’s for more than just federal student aid. States, schools, and some private aid providers also use the information you provide on your FAFSA form to determine your eligibility for their financial aid programs.
For details on what happens next, check out our “Steps for Students Filling Out the FAFSA ® Form” article. If your parent is a required contributor, share the “Completing the FAFSA ® Form: Steps for Parents” article with them. We cover step-by-step instructions for parents, including how they’ll accept the invitation to your FAFSA form.
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ®) form is necessary for students to be eligible to receive federal student aid. We strongly recommend that your child (the student) start their own FAFSA form and complete their sections first to save time and prevent errors. We know that isn’t always how it happens, though.
For federal aid, submit your application as early as possible, but no earlier than October 1, 2024. We must receive your application no later than June 30, 2026. Your college must have your correct, complete information by your last day of enrollment in the 2025–26 school year.
After completing your first child’s FAFSA form, you can return to Step 4 and follow the same steps to enter and complete your next child’s FAFSA form. Each child’s FAFSA form has its own unique invitation code, so make sure you enter the correct code.
completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ®) form, checking the status of your FAFSA form, reviewing your Federal Pell Grant and student loan amounts and limits, accessing your account records, including your Master Promissory Note (MPN), tracking your student loan payments, accessing repayment tools and ...
