apply for federal student aid

fast track to FAFSA

Introducing the FAFSA: Let the Funds Begin

Getting financial aid starts with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA.

By filling it out, you apply for the U.S. Department of Education's federal student aid programs, the largest source of student aid in America. In many cases, you're also automatically applying for funds from your state, and your school as well.

Who It's For: See If You're Eligible

You might be eligible if all of these apply to you:

• You are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
• You are a high school graduate or GED holder
• You are working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program
• You are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money to the government related to other grants or loans

Get complete eligibility information.

Completing the FAFSA: Do It Online

It's recommended that you complete the FAFSA online. More help is available online, and you'll get a response within 3-5 days, rather than 2-3 weeks by mail.

Need More Help? Find online or phone-based help with your FAFSA.

"The best place to start is Federal Student Aid, by filling out the FAFSA form. Then, if you qualify for grants and loans they will let you know immediately."

Jackson,
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Before you start, find out what information you need and how to fill out the form. Save time by gathering all the necessary documents and information first. Go to the FAFSA Web site to find out exactly what to do.

You can also use Completing the FAFSA, a detailed tutorial from the U.S. Department of Education. It's available online and in downloadable form.

FAFSA Worksheets: Get a Head Start

The FAFSA Web site has lots of resources to help you:

• A list of the documents you will need before beginning your FAFSA.
• A worksheet to determine your FAFSA dependency status. If the FAFSA considers you to be dependent on your parents or family, you will need to provide information about them on the application. The dependency status worksheet helps you figure out whether you're dependent before filling out the FAFSA.
• Download the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet. You can use it to practice filling out the real FAFSA.

Questions about FAFSA? Find Answers

If you have questions about completing the FAFSA, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243), or click the "Live Help" link on the Contact Us page of the FAFSA Web site, then click the "CUSTOMER SERVICE LIVE" button.

FAFSA4Caster: Be Ahead of the Curve

If you are a high school junior or below, use FAFSA4Caster to estimate how much federal assistance you might get. This FREE tool helps you:

• Estimate your eligibility for federal student aid
• Reduce the time it takes to complete the FAFSA
• Plan for your future financial needs