A step-by-step guide to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Jump right to the section of the application if you want more information!
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It is always good to be prepared. We have provided a list of must-have documents in order to complete your FAFSA. Completing the FAFSA will qualify students for grants, scholarships, federal student loans, and work-study.
Download our FAFSA Checklist to help you keep on track!
Your FSA ID, which you can create on studentaid.gov. Note that students and parents will need to create their own FSA ID and keep it private.
Your social security number and driver’s license, and/or alien registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen.
Your federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned.
Your parent's income tax returns, W-2 forms, and 1040 forms if you’re a dependent.
Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable).
Records of untaxed income (if applicable).
Title IV Institution Codes for each school you’re applying to, which you can find from the FAFSA federal school code search.
Parent Starts and Submits FAFSA
(Student Consent & Signature Required)
Below are visuals of studentaid.gov to familiarize yourself with what to look for and what will be required when completing the FAFSA.
To help prepare for the FAFSA, we have provided a preview of the FAFSA Form. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply!
The Parent Onboarding section provides a comprehensive guide to completing the FAFSA, including information on student and parent contributions, what to expect during the process, and follow-up steps after completing the FAFSA.
The Student Identity Information section includes the student's name, date of birth, etc. If either student or parent have completed the FAFSA form in the past or logged into the FAFSA form with your FSA ID, most of your personal information will pre-populate to save you time. Ensure you enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your Social Security card. (That’s right, no nicknames.)
Tell us about your student's marital status, financial dependencies, plans for college, and any special circumstances that may affect aid eligibility.
The student is asked if they want the financial aid office to determine their eligibility for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. This is an alternative option if the student's parents are reluctant to provide information and financial support.
The Parent Identity Information section includes your name, date of birth, etc. If you either completed the FAFSA form in the past or logged into the FAFSA form with your FSA ID, most of your personal information will pre-populate to save you time. Ensure you enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your Social Security card.
The parent must consent to retrieve and disclose Federal Tax Information (FTI). Parent consent allows studentaid.gov to obtain tax return information from the IRS automatically. By providing consent, students will be considered for eligibility for federal student aid, which includes grants and loans.
The parent will need to answer information about themselves. Some of these questions will help determine how much federal aid your student may be eligible to receive for college.
Parents should review the information entered. Incorrect information could prolong the FAFSA process.
Parents should carefully review the information entered before signing.
At this point, the parent has completed their section of the FAFSA. The application is not complete until the student completes their section of the FAFSA Application.
The parent will need to answer information about themselves and their student. Some of these questions will help determine how much federal aid the student may be eligible to receive for college.
The FAFSA form assesses the student's ability to pay for college, including personal investments, real estate, and other assets, excluding financial aid and state/federal benefits.
In this section, the parent can search and select schools the student is considering to attend. Once the student has completed their FAFSA, the selected schools will automatically receive an electronic copy.
The parent should review the information entered. Incorrect information could prolong the FAFSA process.
The parent should review the information entered. Incorrect information could prolong the FAFSA process.
If you need assistance at any point in the college planning process, free help is available.
Simply schedule an appointment with the RISLA College Planning Center. The counselors can walk you through every step of the way, help you access financial aid, and answer your difficult college planning questions.
For high school seniors, it's not to late, we can catch you up quickly with the college planning timeline provided below.
The student will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary and will review Eligibility Overview, FAFSA Form Answers, School Information, and Next Steps. It is important to review and update any information that may need correction.
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