Announcements
- Time Is Running Out!All 2017-2018 applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, 2018. FAFSA.gov will be unavailable: Sunday, July 1, from 1 a.m. through 5 a.m. ET.
A Filing Choices Filing Options
You may choose any of these three methods to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
- Login to apply online (Recommended) or
- Complete a PDF FAFSA (Note: PDF FAFSAs must be mailed for processing) or
- Request a paper FAFSA by calling us at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 334-523-2691. If you are hearing impaired, contact the TTY line at 1-800-730-8913.
Complete a PDF FAFSA
Select the school year for which you are applying for financial aid. For example, if you plan to attend college between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019, click The 2018-2019 School Year (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019). If you plan to attend college between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018, click the other link. If you are applying for a summer session, check with your college to verify which application you should complete.
The PDF FAFSA is available for you to print and fill out manually or is screen-fillable. Screen-fillable means you can enter your data on the screen before printing. If you choose this option you will not be able to save your data to your PC.
The 2018 – 2019 School Year (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019)
The 2017 – 2018 School Year (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018)
What is the FAFSA?
To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school.
In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.
To be eligible to receive federal student aid, you must:
- Be a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States.
- Have a valid Social Security Number. (Students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau are exempt from this requirement.)
- Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or have completed homeschooling. If you don’t, you may still be eligible for federal student aid if you were enrolled in college or career school prior to July 1, 2012. Go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/eligibility/basic-criteriafor additional information.
- Be enrolled in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Not owe a refund on a federal student grant or be in default on a federal student loan.
- Register (or already be registered) with the Selective Service System, if you are a male and not currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. (Students from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau are exempt from registering; see https://sss.govfor more information.)
- Not have a conviction for the possession or sale of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (such as grants, work-study, or loans). If you have such a conviction, you must complete the Student Aid Eligibility Worksheet to determine if you are eligible for aid or partially eligible for aid.
Many types of federal student aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant or subsidized loans where the government pays the interest while you are in college, also require you to have financial need. Additionally, once you have a bachelor’s degree or a first professional degree, you are generally not eligible for Pell or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG).
Other requirements may apply. Contact the financial aid office at your college for more information.
What is an FSA ID, and will I need it to complete the FAFSA?
The FSA ID allows students and parents to identify themselves electronically to access FSA Web sites.
An FSA ID is made up of a username and password and can be used to log into FAFSA on the Web.
While you are not required to have an FSA ID to complete and submit a FAFSA on the Web application, it is the fastest way to sign your application and have it processed. It is also the only way to access or correct your information online, or to pre-fill a FAFSA on the Web application with information from your previous year’s FAFSA.
If you do not already have an FSA ID, you can create an FSA ID here – https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
