All students should submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). All schools use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid, and many schools use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for their institutional financial aid.
Get Ready to File the 2024-2025 FAFSA
There are some things you need to do before you can file your FAFSA.
Know When to File the 2024-2025 FAFSA
The 2024-25 FAFSA becomes available in December 2023. You must file a FAFSA every year to be considered for financial aid. Many schools have different priority filing deadlines. Research deadlines by visiting the financial aid section of each school’s website. Meeting priority deadlines is the best way to maximize your financial aid eligibility.
Even schools without a deadline may offer aid on a first-come, first-served basis, so file as early as possible.
Get an FSA ID
Before you can file the FAFSA, you will need to create a Federal Student Aid Account. When you create your account, you’ll set up an FSA ID. Your FSA ID is the username and password you will use to access all Federal Student Aid websites, including StudentAid.gov. Your FSA ID must be created and matched by the Social Security Administration before you can start your FAFSA, so create your FSA ID early!
Tips for Creating an FSA ID
- Be sure to enter your information accurately. The Social Security Administration will verify your information, and making a mistake, especially with your social security number, birth date, or name, will cause delays.
- If you are a dependent student, parent information will be required on the FAFSA. Your parent(s) — referred to on the FAFSA as “contributor(s)” — will also need their own FSA ID to access and sign their section of the FAFSA.
- You will use your FSA ID for multiple purposes over the coming years, so be sure you can remember all of the important information associated with your FSA ID. Download and print FAME’s Students: Create Your Federal Student Aid Account (FSA ID) worksheet to keep track of your FSA ID information. Parents should download and print FAME’s Parents: Create Your Federal Student Aid Account (FSA ID) worksheet. Keep these sheets in a secure location — for example, where you keep tax return information.
- Keep in mind that an email address and mobile phone number can only be associated with one FSA ID. Students and parents cannot use the same email address or the same mobile phone number.
- If you have an email address other than your high school email address, use that one to set up your FSA ID. Your high school email access will likely expire over the summer. You will need to use your FSA ID for years to come, so link it to an email address that you will continue to use.
- Make sure you have access to your email or mobile phone when creating your FSA ID and filing the FAFSA. To create an FSA ID and to file the FAFSA, you must have access to either your mobile phone or email (ideally both) so that you can receive a secure code that will need to be entered into the website. Once verified, your mobile phone and/or email can be used to retrieve your username, reset your password, or unlock your account. A verified mobile phone number or email address can also be used in place of your username.
- You must set up two-factor verification. To protect your account, you will be required to set up two-factor verification. This will result in a secure code being sent to your verified mobile phone, verified email, or to an authenticator app (if you set it up) each time you log into any of the StudentAid.gov websites. This code must be entered to access the website. If none of these options exist, the backup code that was provided when the account was created can be used, but you will also need to answer two challenge questions.
Create Your Federal Student Aid Account (FSA ID)
Watch FAME’s video for step-by-step instructions on how to create an FSA ID:
When you’re ready to create your FSA ID, go to StudentAid.gov and click on “Create Account.” Be sure to download FAME’s Students: Create Your Federal Student Aid Account FSA ID) sheet to keep track of your FSA ID information. Parents should download and print FAME’s Parents: Create Your Federal Student Aid Account (FSA ID) sheet.
Gather Your Information for the 2024-2025 FAFSA
You will need to gather some information before you begin filling out the FAFSA. For the 2024–2025 school year, you will need your 2022 income information.
If you are a DEPENDENT STUDENT, you will need:
- Your and your parents’ FSA IDs. To create one, go to StudentAid.gov and click on “Create Account.”
- Your and your parents’ social security numbers (SSN)
- Your and your parents’ 2022 W-2 forms and other records of money earned
- Your and your parents’ 2022 federal income tax returns (including all applicable schedules)
- Your and your parents’ current bank statements
If applicable, you will also need:
- Your and your parents’ current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, and stock, bond, and other investment records
- Your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-151 or I-551C) or Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) with an eligible status (if you are an eligible non-U.S. citizen)
If you are NOT A DEPENDENT STUDENT, you will need:
- Your FSA ID. To create one, go to StudentAid.gov and click on “Create Account.” If you are married but you and your spouse file separate tax returns, your spouse will also need an FSA ID.
- Your social security number (SSN)
- Your (and if married, your spouse’s) 2022 federal income tax return (including all applicable schedules), 2022 W-2 forms, and other records of money earned
- Your current bank statements
If applicable, you will also need:
- Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, and stock, bond, and other investment records
- Your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-151 or I-551C) or Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) with an eligible status (if you are an eligible non-U.S. citizen)
You can also download and print FAME’s Get Ready to File the 2024-2025 FAFSA checklist for a list of all the information you will need to gather in order to complete the FAFSA.
Filling Out the 2024-2025 FAFSA
The FAFSA is now quicker and easier to file! If necessary, you can start your FAFSA, save it, and finish it later.
- Submit the FAFSA as soon as possible once it becomes available in December.
- The 2024–2025 FAFSA requires 2022 income information.
- The FAFSA is a roles-based form; students will see only their section and parents (referred to as “contributors”) will see only their section. Each contributor will use their FSA ID to access their respective section.
- If a dependent student begins the process, they will be prompted to provide contributor information in their section. If the parent “contributor” starts their section first, they will be required to provide student information in their section.
- You will be prompted to consent to having tax information from the IRS sent to Federal Student Aid using the Financial Aid Direct Data Exchange, even if you are not required to file taxes. You must consent by checking the box. If you do not check the box, you will not be eligible for any federal student aid.
- The schools you list on your FAFSA will receive your FAFSA information electronically. You can list up to 20 colleges on the FAFSA.
In addition to the FAFSA, complete any additional financial aid applications (e.g., the CSS Profile) that may be required by your school. Check with your school(s) to see what forms are needed.
Get Help from FAME
FAME Financial Aid Workshops: The first steps, free and fast.
This is your starting line. After this free, one-hour get-together, you’ll have taken the critical first steps to apply for financial aid and be on your path to a more affordable higher education.
Upcoming Financial Aid Workshops:
Oct 2023
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Financial Aid Workshop: The first steps, free and fast.
Searsport District High School, Searsport
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FAME FAFSA Help Sessions
NOTE: Our FAFSA Help Sessions will begin once the 2024-2025 FAFSA becomes available in December. In the meantime, we recommend attending one of our Financial Aid Workshops to complete the required preliminary steps.
At our FAFSA Help Sessions, we’ll provide a quick FAFSA overview followed by personalized FAFSA filing assistance from FAME and other financial aid experts.
Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support to file the FAFSA that evening! To make that possible, it’s critical that for dependent students, both the student and parent attend this event as it’s no longer possible for a parent to access the FAFSA without both student and parent being present.
Upcoming FAFSA Help Sessions:
After You File the 2024-2025 FAFSA
Your FAFSA will be processed by the Federal Processing Center, typically within three days. You will not be able to make updates or corrections to your FAFSA during this time. Once processed, your FAFSA information will be sent to all of the schools listed on your FAFSA.
What Happens Next
You’ve filed your FAFSA, but are wondering, “What happens next?” This video explains what to expect in the coming months.
Review Your FAFSA Submission Summary
Your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) is a summary of the information you provided on your FAFSA.
- If you provided an email address on your FAFSA, you will be sent an email with a link to your FSS once your FAFSA has been processed. Your FSS can also be found by logging in at FAFSA.gov with your FSA ID.
- Review your FSS carefully. If there is an asterisk next to your SAI, that means you have been selected for verification. See below for more information
- If corrections are needed, log in to FAFSA.gov using your FSA ID (username and password), make the corrections, and resubmit your FAFSA. Make sure you and a parent (if required), sign the FAFSA again using your FSA IDs.
- If information has changed or the FAFSA data no longer reflects your current situation, contact your school.
You May Be Selected for Verification
Verification is a process that requires schools to collect additional income and household information from some students. It does not mean that you did anything wrong!
What is Verification?
You’ve been notified that your FAFSA was selected for a process called verification. Here’s what you need to know.
Your school will let you know what documents are required by sending a letter or email addressed to you (not your parents). Make copies of required documents and send them to your school. Be sure to keep a copy of the original for your records. Students should not send information that has not been requested.
FAQs: 2024-2025 FAFSA
Have a question about the 2024-2025 FAFSA? Be sure to check out our 2024-2025 FAFSA FAQs page for frequently asked questions about filling out, completing, and filing the FAFSA.
