FAFSA stands for The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is the most important form you must complete in order to qualify for almost all types of federal aid.
Federal, state, local and private entities use the FAFSA information to determine what aid you may qualify for, including grants, need-based scholarships as well as federal student loans.
Whether you’re enrolling in college for the first time or returning to school after a period of time off, the FAFSA application is the crucial first step in the financial aid process.
This free application will ask for your demographic & financial information to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) – the amount you and your family are expected to contribute to your college expenses.
If your college costs (Cost of Attendance, or COA) exceed your calculated EFC, you’ll be eligible for aid to help pay your college bills. It’s really just a simple math!
To help you learn more about the process of applying for federal student aid, this FAFSA Webinar Q&A will provide an overview of the FAFSA, while also highlighting application and program changes to the 2012-13 FAFSA.
Common misspellings: FASFA, FASTFA, FAFASA