2025-26 FAFSA Application

Learn about using the FAFSA to apply for financial aid

• Watch this 2-minute video to learn how the FAFSA works:

What you can do now to prepare for the FAFSA

• Your FSA ID is a username and password that gives you access to your student aid account
• Go to studentaid.gov and follow the instructions to create your account
• If you’ve filled out the FAFSA before, you already have an FSA ID. Check your account and reset your password if you don’t remember it.
• Watch this 6-minute video and learn about the FSA ID:

Determine who your “Contributors” are on the FAFSA.

• Determine who your FAFSA contributors are.
• A contributor is anyone who’s asked to provide information on the FAFSA. A contributor could be you, a parent (biological, adoptive, or stepparent), or your spouse. Being a contributor doesn’t mean they have an obligation to pay for your education.
• Each contributor will provide consent for their information to be included on the FAFSA.
• Watch this 90-second video or use the FAFSA Parent Wizard to learn more about contributors:

Collect information you’ll need to complete the FAFSA:

• Having this info ready to go ahead of time will help you avoid delays.
• For each of your contributors you will need:
  • Name
  • Social Security Number (SSN) or alien registration number
  • Date of birth
  • Email address
  • Tax returns
  • Records of child support received
  • Current balances of savings and checking accounts
  • Net worth of investments, businesses, or farms
• Each contributor must provide consent on the FAFSA to allow their tax info to be automatically shared from the IRS. If a contributor refuses to provide consent, you will be ineligible for need-based financial aid programs.

Fill out the FAFSA

Student and contributors can use their FSA ID to access and complete the FAFSA.