Counseling » Financial Aid - FAFSA

Financial Aid - FAFSA

Scholarship Opportunities
 
Senior Class of 2026
 
The 2026-2027 FAFSA Form is now available!
This award year runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
 
Seniors planning to begin their post-secondary education in the fall of 2026 will submit the 2026-2027 FAFSA application.
 
 
Both the student AND a parent (or "contributor") need an FSA ID before gaining access to the FAFSA.
 
Step #1: Go to https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch to create your FSA ID.
                Plan to create a FSA ID 2-3 days before logging into FAFSA to apply.
 
IMPORTANT
What you will need:
  • Both student and parent FSA ID (see above link).
  • Note: you will not have full functionality in FAFSA if you create the FSA ID and try to log in to FAFSA in the same sitting. The FSA ID matching process takes 2-3 days. 
  • 2024 tax information and all 2024 W-2s for both parents and student (if student filed 2024 taxes).
  • Social security numbers for both parents and the student.
  • Green Cards (if student and/or parents are permanent residents).
 
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid 
 
What is FAFSA, and why should you submit it? 
1. If you are eligible for federal or state grant money, FAFSA is required.
2. If you are signed up to receive the College Bound Scholarship, FAFSA is required.
3. If you need to use the $5500 federal student loan offered to freshmen, FAFSA is required.
4. If a parent would like the option to use parent PLUS loans, FAFSA is required.
5. If you are planning to apply for scholarships, many require FAFSA.
 
 
Instructions for completing the FAFSA.
FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is the application used by colleges to determine eligibility for need-based aid programs. 
 
1. First step – create an FSA ID. Go to https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch. Both the student and all contributors (parent/guardian) will need to create a unique FSA ID.
2. Note there are instances when a student is considered FAFSA independent and, in that case, will not need a parent FSA ID or any parent information on the FAFSA. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/apply-  for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency
3. As soon as the student and contributor(parent/guardian) FSA ID has been verified or matched, go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to complete and submit the FAFSA. (Note: If the student does not have a social security number, go to https://wsac.wa.gov/wasfa to determine if you should submit WASFA instead.)
4. After you successfully submit your FAFSA, you will see your Student Aid Index (SAI). This is the number colleges will use to calculate your financial need for their school. 
5. You may be selected for verification, which is a sort of audit system. If you are selected, the college financial aid office will send the student emails requesting information. Comply with all verification requests.
6. In early Spring, students will receive an award letter from each college listed on their FAFSA showing what forms of financial aid that school can offer.
 
As part of the FAFSA changes, the term “Expected Family Contribution” or “EFC,” which has been used for many years to calculate students’ expected financial need for college, will be replaced with the term “Student Aid Index” or “SAI”. Like the EFC, colleges will use the SAI  to determine a student’s financial need by subtracting it from the cost of attendance (COA).
 
This could include:
1. Grants
2. Scholarships
3. Tuition waivers
4. Work study
5. Loans (student and parent)
 
After submitting FAFSA, all questions and inquiries should be directed to the college financial aid office(s). All communications from college financial aid offices will be directed to the student. Students should be vigilant about reading emails.
 
Not planning on attending a 4-year institution?
It is a common myth that only 4-year university-bound students need to fill out the FAFSA. The FAFSA can pay for many trade school programs as well as apprenticeships and community colleges. All students who are furthering their education and job training after high school should submit the FAFSA.

Not sure what to do after graduation?
Fill out the FAFSA! You want all your options available to you. Also, if your primary plan does not work, and you need a backup plan, it will be helpful to have the FAFSA submitted and processed. Also, you have the right to decline a FAFSA loan offer or to request a lower loan amount. 
 

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.

 

For more information or to access the FAFSA application please visit fafsa.gov

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Do You Need Money for College or Career School? https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/eligibility.pdf

 

Overview of financial aid process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_iS7gmQd9o

 

College Success Foundation 

Financial hurdles can be the most daunting barriers for low-income students to attend college. A key component of our work is educating students and families about the tools and resources that exist; training them to navigate financial aid applications and processes; and ensuring they have a clear, sustainable financial plan on how to pay for college. https://www.collegesuccessfoundation.org/our-approach/financial-aid/ 

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