If you’re planning to attend college, the most important step you should take is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the single application that you need to complete annually to determine your eligibility for many scholarships, grants, work-study programs and Federal education loans. You can start the application process as early as January 1st.
Students and their families have the option to complete the paper version or the online version of this application. You can request up to three copies of the paper version (in English or Spanish) by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) toll free at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
The online version is accessible by visiting the U.S. Department of Education’s FAFSA website. We highly recommend the online version, as it can save you time, it’s easier, plus the online version will look for incomplete or conflicting information before you submit it!
Caution! Completing and processing the U.S. Department of Education’s FAFSA form is FREE. You WILL NOT be charged to complete it. But be aware of some sites that use similar web addresses, like www.fafsa.com, where they will charge you a fee to complete the application.
What info do you need to apply?
You’ll need to have the following information before you start your FAFSA:
- Your Social Security Number and your parent’s Social Security Number if you are claimed as a dependent;
- Driver's license (if any);
- Alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen);
- Federal Income Tax Returns (including IRS W-2 information) for yourself and your parents if your are claimed as a dependent;
- Information on savings, investments, and business or farm assets for yourself, and for your parents if claimed as a dependent;
- Untaxed income records, such as Social Security benefits, welfare benefits and veterans benefits for yourself and your parents if claimed as a dependent;
Note: Independent students are not required to provide parent information. You can check with your Financial Aid Office to find out if you qualify as an independent or dependent student.
What to Expect Next
About two weeks after your online FAFSA is processed (four to six weeks for the paper-version), you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR), a report summarizing your FAFSA information. Colleges will receive copies of your SAR and use it to determine your Federal financial aid eligibility.
Around March, you should start receiving financial aid award letters from your selected colleges. This award letter, or package, outlines the total cost of attendance and the types and amount of Federal aid the colleges are offering you.
Once you receive all the award letters, you’ll want to compare each offering. Not every college will provide the same types and amount of aid. And you’ll also want to review the terms and conditions of the scholarships and grants that each college may offer.
For students continuing their education with their current school, be sure to check your lender’s loan discounts before signing off your Master Promissory Note. Lenders loan discounts may change year-to-year.
Additional Resources:
- Have questions about the FAFSA? Get help in person through Ohio’s College Goal Sunday.
- Download a FREE College Planning Calendar.
- More tips if you’re planning for college.