The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026-2027 academic year opens on October 1, 2025. If you need money for college, completing the FAFSA is the most important and reliable way to increase your chances of receiving it. We share a step-by-step guide on how to complete the FAFSA!

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Create your StudentAid.gov account

Before you get started, you and your contributors will need to create StudentAid.gov accounts (formerly known as FSA IDs) to access the application. A contributor is anyone who is required to provide information on the FAFSA. Contributors are:

• Student (that’s you)
• Parent(s)/Step parent(s)
• Spouse (if legally married)

Accounts are authenticated instantly and students and families can begin the application immediately.

To create your StudentAid.gov account, you will need your Social Security number, a reliable phone number, and your email address. You will not be able to complete the FAFSA without a StudentAid.gov account. Make sure you double check for correct spelling and any unnecessary characters if you are having trouble creating an account. Names on Social Security cards should match the information listed on the FAFSA. 

Creating a StudentAid.gov account will require you and your contributors to set up at least one form of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which is another layer of security to keep your information safe. You can set this up using a phone number, email, authentication app, or a one-time backup code (keep safe). 

Creating StudentAid.gov accounts for contributors

If you’re a dependent student (you live with your parents and rely on them for financial support such as food and housing), one or both of your parents will need to create their own StudentAid.gov accounts. Keep in mind that your parent(s) will need their own email address to create a StudentAid.gov account. After your and your contributors' StudentAid.gov accounts are created, you can begin filling out your FAFSA.

How do I know if I am dependent/independent for FAFSA purposes?

Most students will file the FAFSA as a dependent student, even if they have filed their taxes or support themselves. FAFSA only considers a student independent for the following reasons:

• 24 years old during award year
• Married (or separated, not divorced)
• Working on advanced degree
• Serving in armed forces or veteran
• Since age 13: not living with parents, in foster care, or ward of court
• Emancipated minor
• Have a court-ordered legal guardian
• Have children or dependents and provide more than half of their support
• Unaccompanied youth who is homeless

What do l need to fill out the FAFSA?

Here’s what you need to complete your FAFSA if you’re a dependent student:

• Your StudentAid.gov account.
• Your Social Security number.
• Your contributors’ Social Security numbers.
• Alien Registration Number (A-Number) for eligible noncitizens (if applicable).
• 2024 Federal tax information, tax documents, or tax returns including IRS W-2 information for you and your parents.
• Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received for you and for your parents if you are a dependent student.
• Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate (but not including the home in which you live).
• Net worth of family businesses with more than 100+ employees. Do not report the value of family farm or fishery business.
• A list of colleges you intend to apply to (if you’re completing the FAFSA for the first time). You do not have to be accepted to any of these colleges at the time you complete your FAFSA. You can list up to 20 colleges. 

For most families and students, completing the FAFSA takes around one hour. 

How do I get started?

To begin filling out your FAFSA, visit the Federal Student Aid website. Click “Start New Form.” You will be asked for your login credentials (StudentAid.gov account) and can follow the instructions on the form.

Source: studentaid.gov

Steps to complete the FAFSA

After students and their contributors (parents) create their StudentAid.gov accounts, they can begin the application. Each student and contributor will need their own separate StudentAid.gov accounts. 

• Step 1: Gather all relevant information and documents needed to complete the form. 
• Step 2: Start the form by selecting the application for the 2026-2027 academic year.
• Step 3: Begin the application. Do not forget to provide consent for IRS data to be transferred. If you do not consent, you will not be eligible for aid. 
• Step 4: Complete all the required sections, including personal information, demographics, personal circumstances, finances, and list of colleges. 
• Step 5: If you are a dependent student (most students will be) you'll need to invite one of your contributors to complete their part of the FAFSA. Start by entering the email of one contributor, and they’ll be invited to fill out their section. If a second contributor is required, you or the first contributor can invite the other parent or spouse.  
  • *Provisionally independent students do not need to invite contributors and will complete after their section.
• Step 6: Sign and submit your portion of the application and follow up with your contributors to ensure they log on and complete their portion. 
• Step 7: Contributors access their portion of the FAFSA by using their StudentAid.gov account. If your parents are married and filed taxes jointly, only one parent will need to do this part. If your parents are married and did not file taxes jointly, they will both need to complete it. Check out this article for other scenarios! 
• Step 8: Once your final contributor completes their portion of the FAFSA, they can sign and submit the application. You will receive a confirmation email letting you know that your application has been successfully submitted. 
• Step 9: You can track the status of your application by logging onto your StudentAid.gov portal and visiting the “My Activity” tab.

When can I start filling out my FAFSA?

The 2026-2027 FAFSA opens on October 1, 2025. We recommend completing it as soon as possible to maximize the aid you are eligible for. Don't wait! 

Make sure to double-check the dates before you start filling out the form. You want the FAFSA labeled with the school year for which you need aid (not the current academic year). Pay close attention to school and state FAFSA deadlines. 

What’s the deadline to complete my FAFSA?

FAFSA deadlines vary by state and college. Learn your deadline and be sure to apply well before it. The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30th, annually.

My parent(s) are undocumented, but I am a citizen/permanent resident. Can I still fill out the FAFSA and receive financial aid?

If you’re a dependent student living with one or more undocumented parents, you can still complete the FAFSA with your Social Security number. Parent(s) without an SSN can still make a StudentAid.gov account and contribute to a student’s FAFSA.

It’s important to understand that at this time, personal data submitted through the FAFSA—including a contributor’s citizenship status—may or MAY NOT be protected by the U.S. Department of Education. While contributing to a student’s FAFSA as an undocumented parent generally should not affect their eligibility to receive federal financial aid, other potential risks that undocumented contributors may face are currently unknown. Before completing the FAFSA, we advise you to talk to your family to make an informed decision that works best for you.

I am undocumented. Can I complete the FAFSA?

Unfortunately, the FAFSA is only available to those with permanent residence or citizenship in the U.S. If you are not in a position to complete the FAFSA due to your immigration or citizenship status, many states may have their own financial aid application that you can complete instead. Check with your school counselor to see what options there are in your state.

The FAFSA is not the end-all-be-all of paying for college. Learn more about applying to college and for financial aid as an undocumented student.

Do you have to pay to complete the FAFSA?

No! You should never pay to fill out the FAFSA. Be sure you are on studentaid.gov at all times throughout the FAFSA completion process and be wary of filling out any forms or documents that don’t look official. We recommend completing the FAFSA alongside a parent or trusted adult to ensure the process goes smoothly and safely.

What happens after I complete the FAFSA?

Once you submit your FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary in your email outlining the potential federal aid you qualify for. If your application requires any corrections, it will be noted directly there. Read this short article to help you understand what happens after you submit your FAFSA.

Where can I get FAFSA Help?

Check out our list of FAFSA help by state, which breaks down the free virtual and in-person resources available to students completing the FAFSA in your state.