KNOWLEDGE FOR
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
A chance to win a $2,000 scholarship to help pay for college! Four students are randomly selected each month.
HOW TO GET STARTED WITH YOUR FAFSA
PARENTS & STUDENTS MUST CREATE A FSA ID
For parents and students, having a FSA ID prior to starting the FAFSA is the fastest way to sign your application and have it processed. It’s 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.
FSA ID | CREATE AN ACCOUNT
CREATE AN ACCOUNT
- Go to studentaid.gov
- Click "Create Your FSA ID Now"
PRO TIPS
Required for Parent(s) and Students- First and Last Name: Must match exactly what is on your SSN Card
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number: Parent(s) and student must have a SSN
- Email Address: Email cannot be shared by parent(s) and student or used multiple times.
- Physical Address
- Mobile Phone Number
FSA ID | STEP 1 | PERSONAL INFORMATION
PERSONAL INFORMATION
- Parent(s) and Students: Enter your name, birthdate, and social security number.
PRO TIP
- Remember it must exactly match your social security card!
FSA ID | STEP 2 | ACCOUNT INFORMATION
ACCOUNT INFORMATION
- Parent(s) and Students: Create a username, email address, and password.
PRO TIPS
- Remember to safely store your usernames and password!
- Use an active, non-school email address.
FSA ID | STEP 3 | CONTACT INFORMATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
- Parent(s) and Students: Enter your current permanent address.
PRO TIP
- Have your mobile phone ready when completing your FSA ID. You will have to verify your information via email and mobile.
FSA ID | STEP 4 | COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES
COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES
- Parent(s) and Students: Here you will choose how you will choose your preference of communication: by email or by postal mail.
PRO TIP
- It is strongly recommended to choose "by email".
FSA ID | STEP 5 | CHALLENGE QUESTIONS
CHALLENGE QUESTIONS
- Parent(s) and Students: This is information to retrieve your username and password.
PRO TIP
- This information is usually personal. It is suggested that you take a screenshot of the information when complete or safely store the information to use when needed.
FSA ID | STEP 6 | CONFIRM & VERIFY
CONFIRM & VERIFY
- Parent(s) and Students: Confirm that the information provided is correct and edit if needed.
FSA ID | STEP 7 | ENABLE TWO-STEP VERIFICATION | NOT VERIFIED
ENABLE TWO-STEP VERIFICATION | NOT VERIFIED
- Parent(s) and Students: You will need your mobile phone, desktop, or laptop computer to receive an email verification.
FSA ID | STEP 7 | ENABLE TWO-STEP VERIFICATION | VERIFIED
ENABLE TWO-STEP VERIFICATION | VERIFIED
- Parent(s) and Students: You have been verified! When you sign in you will be sent a secure code to make sure it is really you!
FSA ID | STEP 7 | ENABLE TWO-STEP VERIFICATION | BACKUP CODE
ENABLE TWO-STEP VERIFICATION | BACKUP CODE
- Parent(s) and Students: Safely store this code where you can access it when you can not use the two-step verification method.
FSA ID | ACCOUNT SUCCESSFULLY CREATED
ACCOUNT SUCCESSFULLY CREATED
- Parent(s) and Students: This is the final confirmation that your account has been successfully created and you can log in.
FAFSA COMPLETION GUIDE
A step-by-step preview of the FAFSA form.
Take a detailed preview of the FAFSA form before you complete it for yourself. We have created a step-by-step preview of each section of the FAFSA. We have provided easy-to-read directions and pro tips from RISLA's College Planning Center team of experts.
FACT 1
FAFSA IS FREE!
FREE! It’s even included in the name. Free Application For Federal Student Aid.
FACT 2
FILING EARLY
Filing earlier is better. You may receive your school's award letters sooner, leaving you with more time to compare all your school offers and research options to help fill the “gap” for unmet needs.
FACT 3
INSTITUTIONAL AID
Used to determine more than just Federal Aid. Schools require the FAFSA when awarding institutional aid if they are not requiring completion of the CSS Profile.
FACT 4
WORK-STUDY
Determines eligibility for Work Study. Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial needs allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.
FACT 5
YEARLY REQUIREMENT
FAFSA is required to be completed yearly. Federal aid (including eligibility for Federal student loans) is granted on a yearly basis. Therefore, FAFSA completion is required for aid to be granted each year.
FACT 6
RI PROMISE ELIGIBILITY
Determines eligibility for RI Promise Scholarship. Through the Promise scholarship, all Rhode Islanders coming right out of high school are eligible to pursue associate degrees at CCRI tuition-free.
QUESTIONS ABOUT COLLEGE PLANNING?
Schedule an appointment with one of our experts.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR FAFSA
Money for college starts with FAFSA
Everyone should complete the FAFSA which can qualify students for grants, scholarships, federal student loans, and work-study.
ACCOUNT BALANCES
Balances of checking & saving accounts for parent(s) and student.
COLLEGE LIST
A list of schools that students will be applying to.
TAX RETURN
W2 OR PAY STUBS
Printed copies are required for parent(s) and student.
MARRIAGE & DIVORCE
Parents are required to provide the date of marriage or divorce.
