What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is a free application for financial aid form the federal and state government. Students are awarded aid based on financial need - taking students and their families' finances into account when determining what they receive.
Filing the FAFSA is one of the most important things you can do to earn financial aid to help pay for college - many grants, scholarships, loans, and work study opportunities require that you have completed your FAFSA.
Filing the FAFSA is one of the most important things you can do to earn financial aid to help pay for college - many grants, scholarships, loans, and work study opportunities require that you have completed your FAFSA.
How do I file the FAFSA?
Seniors in high school are able to start filing their FAFSA on October 1st - and it is recommended that students apply early if they want access to all financial aid options. For Missouri residents, we have a priority deadline of February 1st. No state financial aid is guaranteed after that date.
In order to file the FAFSA, the student and at least one parent/guardian must create an FSA ID online, and then can begin the actual FAFSA application online.
In order to file the FAFSA, the student and at least one parent/guardian must create an FSA ID online, and then can begin the actual FAFSA application online.
How much money will I receive?
Every student will receive a different amount of financial aid based on their family's financial situation.
When you file your FAFSA, you will typically receive an email with an estimated award amount. You can also log back into your account to look through your Student Aid Report for your estimated award. This report will also include an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) - the lower the EFC, the more financial aid you will receive.
However, your actual award offer will not come from FAFSA - it will come from the college(s) you applied for and sent your FAFSA to. Typically in the Spring, colleges will begin sending out financial aid award letters that detail all the financial you are being offered, both from the college and from FAFSA. You can also always reach out to the colleges' financial aid offices for any updates or assistance.
When you file your FAFSA, you will typically receive an email with an estimated award amount. You can also log back into your account to look through your Student Aid Report for your estimated award. This report will also include an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) - the lower the EFC, the more financial aid you will receive.
However, your actual award offer will not come from FAFSA - it will come from the college(s) you applied for and sent your FAFSA to. Typically in the Spring, colleges will begin sending out financial aid award letters that detail all the financial you are being offered, both from the college and from FAFSA. You can also always reach out to the colleges' financial aid offices for any updates or assistance.
What if I am selected for verification?
Every year, there are many students who are "selected for verification," which means they have to verify that the information on the FAFSA is correct. This does not mean that you filled out the FAFSA incorrectly, the federal government wants to double check. It is important to log into your college's student portal and email account - that is where colleges usually notify you that you are selected for verification.
If you are selected, the most commonly requested information is the student's and parents' W2's, tax forms, and/or letter of non-filing - however, documents requested differ for each individual.
If you do not send the verification materials, you will NOT receive any financial aid offered from the FAFSA.
If you are selected, the most commonly requested information is the student's and parents' W2's, tax forms, and/or letter of non-filing - however, documents requested differ for each individual.
If you do not send the verification materials, you will NOT receive any financial aid offered from the FAFSA.