The FAFSA is required for any student who plans to attend college and is seeking federal and state financial aid, including grants and loans. It is a free online application which requires financial and residency information for both the student and parents of dependent students.
Completion of the FAFSA qualifies eligible students for federal grants, including the Pell Grant of up to $6,345 per year. Pell Grants are a form of gift aid that does not have to be repaid. Information submitted on the FAFSA is often used by colleges and universities when determining merit and need‐based scholarship awards.
Colleges might have specific priority deadlines for financial aid applications; March 1 is most colleges’ priority deadline. Students should file the FAFSA as early as possible for first-come, first-served aid. Students can begin completing the FAFSA as soon as October 1. FAFSA can be completed at fafsa.ed.gov
Before you complete your FAFSA, you will need a FSA ID, which can be completed at studentaid.gov
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