📝 Step 2: Collect the Info You’ll Need
Here’s what you (and your parents, if dependent) will need:
-
2023 tax returns (for 2025–2026 FAFSA)
-
Social Security Numbers (SSNs)
-
Records of untaxed income (e.g., child support)
-
Current bank account balances
-
Any investment or asset info
-
Your school list (you can send FAFSA to up to 20 schools)
💻 Step 3: Complete the FAFSA Form
-
Visit studentaid.gov and click “Complete the FAFSA Form”
-
Select: 2025–2026 FAFSA
-
Follow the prompts — much of your info will be pulled directly from the IRS through the Direct Data Exchange (DDX), with your consent
-
Add all the schools you’re applying to or attending
🕐 The FAFSA takes about 30–45 minutes to complete
🧾 Step 4: Sign and Submit
-
You (and your parent, if dependent) must sign with your FSA IDs
-
Submit your FAFSA
-
You’ll get a confirmation page — keep this for your records
📩 Step 5: Follow Up
-
Within a few days to a couple of weeks, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) summarizing your FAFSA info
-
Schools will use this to create your financial aid package
🎯 Next Steps:
-
Log in regularly to studentaid.gov to check status
-
Respond to any requests from your college (documents, verification, etc.)
-
Accept/decline aid from your school when your award letter arrives
❓Need Help?