Why the FAFSA® is important (Like really, really important)
Completing the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is arguably the most essential step any student can take in their college planning journey because it unlocks financial aid from various sources. The U.S. Department of Education uses the FAFSA® to determine a student's eligibility for federal student aid, such as loans, grants, and work-study. The FAFSA® is also required to apply for state funding and many private scholarships.
If you want to qualify for the most free money you can and pay less out of your pocket for school, you must file the FAFSA®. Nearly everyone who submits the FAFSA® qualifies for some aid.
Your financial aid package can help you cover college expenses:
- Tuition
- Fees
- Living Expenses (Housing and Meals)
- Books
- Transportation to and from school
What to know more about how financial aid works? Visit Federal Student Aid for more information.
2024-25 FAFSA® getting a makeover
Great news! The FAFSA® will be simpler and shorter, with fewer questions to answer and fewer requirements overall. You can even import your tax return info from the IRS, saving you even more time.
The FAFSA® redesign goes well beyond just a new form. Starting with the 2024–25 award year, the new FAFSA® form reflects updates to student aid calculations that extend Federal Pell Grants to more students. Pell Grant eligibility will be linked to family size and the federal poverty level.
Important Date Change:
The FAFSA® 2024-25 application open has been delayed from October 1 to December 31, 2023. Students can expect this delay for only this year. The FAFSA® is anticipated to return to the regular October 1 opening date for the 2025-26 school year.
Some financial aid money is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to file the FAFSA® as soon as it opens! See all FAFSA® deadlines on studentaid.gov.