The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that students must complete to apply for federal student loans. The FAFSA collects information about the student’s financial situation, including their income, assets, and family size. This information is used to determine the student’s eligibility for federal student loans and the amount of money they can borrow.
How Often Do You Need to Fill Out the FAFSA?
You need to fill out the FAFSA every year that you are enrolled in college or graduate school and want to receive federal student loans. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1st each year, and the deadline to submit the FAFSA is June 30th. However, some states have earlier deadlines, so it is important to check with your state’s financial aid office to find out the deadline for your state.
What Happens if You Don’t Fill Out the FAFSA?
If you do not fill out the FAFSA, you will not be eligible for federal student loans. You may also be ineligible for other types of financial aid, such as grants and scholarships.
How to Fill Out the FAFSA
You can fill out the FAFSA online at the Federal Student Aid website (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa). You can also fill out the FAFSA by mail. To request a paper FAFSA, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.
What Information Do You Need to Fill Out the FAFSA?
To fill out the FAFSA, you will need the following information:
- Your Social Security number
- Your driver’s license number (if you have one)
- Your parents’ Social Security numbers (if you are a dependent student)
- Your parents’ driver’s license numbers (if you are a dependent student)
- Your income and asset information
- Your parents’ income and asset information (if you are a dependent student)
How Long Does it Take to Fill Out the FAFSA?
It takes most students about 30 minutes to fill out the FAFSA. However, it may take longer if you are a dependent student and need to gather information from your parents.
What Happens After You Submit the FAFSA?
After you submit the FAFSA, the Department of Education will process your information and send you a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR will show you the amount of federal student loans you are eligible for. You can then use this information to decide how much money you want to borrow.
Tips for Filling Out the FAFSA
Here are some tips for filling out the FAFSA:
- Start early. The earlier you fill out the FAFSA, the more time you will have to gather the necessary information and submit your application.
- Be accurate. It is important to be accurate when filling out the FAFSA. Any errors could delay the processing of your application or result in you being denied financial aid.
- Get help if you need it. If you need help filling out the FAFSA, you can contact your school’s financial aid office or the Federal Student Aid Information Center.
Conclusion
The FAFSA is an important form that students must complete in order to apply for federal student loans. By following the tips above, you can make sure that you fill out the FAFSA correctly and on time.
