Step 1: Submit FAFSA Application
File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a renewal FAFSA application each year. File as soon after January 1 of the upcoming academic year as possible. The priority application deadline date is April 15. This is not a deadline; however, financial aid funds for some programs could start to run out after this priority date.
Apply for a PIN number
Both students and one parent (of dependent students) must apply for a
PIN number. Your PIN serves as your electronic signature on the FAFSA. Make sure to keep these numbers in a place where you will remember them. They will be used every year to fill out the application and to sign other documents.
Print FAFSA on the Web worksheets
Go to the
FAFSA website and print the FAFSA on the Web worksheets. These will make it easier to gather all of the required documents and to organize your information before going online to actually apply.
Gather documents
Gather all of the documents necessary to complete the form. It is always easier and more accurate to apply after your federal income tax forms have been completed.
Submit FAFSA
We recommend that you file your
FAFSA application electronically. If you do not have ready access to the Internet, contact the Office of Financial Aid or your high school guidance office for a paper FAFSA.
If you do not receive a paper or e-mail Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks of filing your FAFSA, call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) for assistance.