All About the FAFSA

FAFSA Fact Sheet (PDF)

What's the FAFSA?
It stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students and parents have to fill it out to qualify for financial aid from the federal government. The FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process.

Why is it important?
Because it determines your eligibility for financial aid, including Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, and work-study programs. It's required for federal student aid programs as well as State of Ohio and sometimes institutional student aid programs. Ohio uses information from the FAFSA to award the Ohio College Opportunity Grant. Almost every student is eligible for some amount of financial aid.

Where do I get it?
The FAFSA can be filled out on paper and mailed, or filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

When do I fill it out?
New applications are accepted starting on January 1 for the upcoming academic year. Student financial aid at all levels is often provided on a first-come, first-served basis, so you should submit a FAFSA as early as possible, before the money starts to run out!

Need help filling out your FAFSA?
College Goal Sunday may be the event for you. It takes place every February at dozens of locations around Ohio.