FAFSA Info

Your complete guide to FAFSA for the 2026-27 school year

If you or your child is applying to college, there’s one abbreviation you need to know: FAFSA — Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA can unlock financial aid to help cover the cost of college. In this guide, learn what the FAFSA is, the role it plays in receiving financial support, and what you need to know before applying.

What is FAFSA?

The FAFSA assesses your eligibility for federal grants, student loans, and work-study. These funding options can make education costs more manageable and reduce the financial burden on students and families.

To qualify for an award package from your school of choice, you must submit the FAFSA application by the federal deadline of June 30. However, there are both college and state deadlines for applicants to be aware of as well. Check the deadlines for your state on the Federal Student Aid site.

The fastest way to complete the FAFSA is through an online application. You can also print out the application and submit it via mail, but that can take longer to be processed.

For the 2026-27 academic year, expect the Department of Education to launch the FAFSA on Oct. 1, 2025. It's recommended that you submit the FAFSA as soon as possible, as some types of aid are first come, first served.

Students are required to fill out the FAFSA to access any federal financial aid options, as well as some state- and school-based financial aid. Students must submit an application every year, and dependent students will need their parents' signature along with key parental information to complete the FAFSA.

What info do you need for the FAFSA application?

As part of filling out the FAFSA application, you’ll be asked to provide some personal and financial information. You’ll need to provide:

• Full name

• Current address

• Date of birth

• Social Security number

• Contact information

• Alien registration number, if applicable

• Information about total assets

• Untaxed income

• Tax data

• Whether you’re a dependent or independent student

• Household size

• Number of household members in college

If you're a dependent student, as most undergraduates are, your PARENT will also need to provide similar info about themselves.

How to complete the FAFSA

You can fill out the FAFSA online at FAFSA.gov or submit a paper version via mail. It’s recommended that you complete the application online, as it offers faster processing and access to the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Here are the steps required to complete the FAFSA.

Step 1: Create an FSA ID

If it's your first time submitting the FAFSA, create an FSA ID. This allows applicants to sign the FAFSA electronically, sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN) for loans, and take part in loan counseling.

You’ll be required to provide your Social Security number and email address to create an account. Dependent students should also have a parent create a separate FSA ID for themselves.

Step 2: Compile information and documents

Use the list above to gather all the information and documents you need to fill out the FAFSA. Have your tax returns and current asset balances handy. Depending on your situation, you may need information from your parents or spouse as well.

Step 3: Fill out the FAFSA

Next, complete the application.

You can expect the process to take roughly half an hour. By submitting your application online, you may qualify to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. This tool helps you easily access your tax data and import it into the FAFSA.

In addition, you’ll be asked to list the colleges where you’d like to send your FAFSA application. Award packages vary by school. You must list a minimum of one school and up to 20 for online applications. If you want to add more, you can do so later.

Currently, the FAFSA has a little less than 50 questions, though some have multiple steps.

Step 4: Submit the FAFSA

After completing the FAFSA, review everything and then get ready to submit. Before doing so, you’ll need to sign the application (in addition to a parent, if applicable). The easiest way is to use your FSA ID, which allows you to do this electronically.

By submitting online, you can ensure fast processing, which typically takes between one and three days. If you submit it via mail, it can take seven to 10 days.

Step 5: Review status

You can keep tabs on your FAFSA status. After a few days, go to FASFA.gov and use your FSA ID to log in. If you see “Processed,” you’re good to go.

If it’s “In Progress,” you can check back later. You might also see “Action Required." If you need to take further action, contact the school to see about next steps.

Step 6: Check your FAFSA Submission Summary

You’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary within a few days. The summary outlines the information you provided in the FAFSA. Double-check that everything is correct. If there are any errors, make corrections ASAP.

You can do so by logging into your account on FASFA.gov with your FSA ID. From there, go to “My FAFSA” and then “Make Corrections.” Correct the errors and submit again.

Your FAFSA Submission Summary will show:

• Student Aid Index, which is an index number used by schools to calculate what aid you are eligible for

• If further verification is required

It’s important to note that the amounts in your FAFSA Submission Summary are estimates and may differ from your final award package from your school. The schools you included in the FAFSA will be able to access your FAFSA Submission Summary and determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. Most schools will send a formal aid offer only after they accept the student for admission.

FAFSA mistakes to avoid

Though the FAFSA asks many questions and may take some time, qualifying for federal financial aid is worth the effort. But making a mistake when applying can delay the process. Here are some top FAFSA mistakes to avoid.

• Not creating an FSA ID for you and your parents: An FSA ID can help expedite the process and allow you to sign your online application. Dependent students must have a parent create a separate FSA ID as well.

• Entering the wrong identification information: When you start the FAFSA, you’ll be asked if you're the student, parent, or preparer. Make sure to select the correct option to have some of your data entered into the application and avoid potential trouble.

• Missing important deadlines: The FAFSA can get tricky, as there are three deadlines you need to be aware of — federal, state, and college deadlines.

• Not including all the schools you’re interested in: Schools play a major role in the aid you receive, so list all the schools you’re applying to.

• Skipping the IRS Data Retrieval Tool: The DRT helps you avoid the hassle of inputting information and can do the heavy lifting for you. If you're eligible, use the DRT to streamline the process and avoid typos.

Who can help me with the FAFSA?

• You can contact the school (718-447-1274) for help and a counselor can help guide you step by step

• If you need extra support to complete the FAFSA, you can reach out to the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC). You can call 800-433-3243, send an email, or use the Live Chat function.