Niche College Scholarship
Updated: April 2, 2020

FAFSA on the Web

This page explains how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. If you have additional questions about federal student aid or how to complete an electronic or paper application, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or contact your financial aid administrator (FAA). You can also go to the federal student aid web site here.

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Why Complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?

FAFSA gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. Every student who is planning on, or even considering going to college should fill out a FAFSA. Even if you think your parents earn too much to receive federal aid, it's important that you still complete the FAFSA, as many states and colleges use the FAFSA to award grants and scholarships. A completed FAFSA is also required in order to take out any federal student loans and can help you qualify for lower-cost, forgivable student loans.

Where Can I Fill Out my FAFSA?

Start your FAFSA application online here or print, fill out, and mail in a FAFSA PDF paper copy. In some cases, you can apply directly through your school. If that is the case, check with the financial aid administrator at your school(s) of interest to see if they will assist you with your application.

FAFSA Basic Eligibility Requirements

Other requirements may apply. For additional FAFSA eligibility requirements, click here.

What Do I Need to Complete a FAFSA?

Using a FSA ID to Electronically Sign Your Application

The FSA ID allows students and parents to identify themselves electronically to access Federal Student Aid websites. A FSA ID contains a username and password and can be used to log into the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. While you are not required to have a FSA ID to complete and submit a FAFSA form, it is the fastest way to sign your application and have it processed. It is also the only way to access or correct your information online, or to prefill an online FAFSA form with information from your previous year's FAFSA form.

For Previous FAFSA Applicants

If you applied for aid last year, you do not have to complete the entire FAFSA this year. Instead, you can use a Renewal FAFSA, which is available online and on paper. The online Renewal FAFSA is pre-filled with prior information, making it easier to apply. The applicant will change or add information as needed.

FAFSA Deadlines

To be considered for federal student aid for the 2020–21 award year, you can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form between October 1, 2019, and 11:59 p.m. Central time (CT) on June 30, 2021. Any FAFSA corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 11, 2021.

However, many states and colleges have earlier deadlines for applying for state and institutional financial aid. Find your state's deadline here. Check with the schools you're interested in attending as each college or career school may have its own deadline.

Due to the variation in state and college deadlines, it is highly recommended that you fill out the FAFSA form as soon as you can after October 1 to ensure that you do not miss out on available aid.