How to Apply for FAFSA Student Aid in the USA
Complete guide to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
What You Need
- SSN
- FSA ID (create at studentaid.gov)
- Tax returns
- Bank account balances
Step 1: Create FSA ID
Go to studentaid.gov and create your account.
Step 2: Start FAFSA Form
Log in and click “Start a New FAFSA Form”
Step 3: Use IRS Data Retrieval
Import tax data directly from the IRS to avoid errors.
Step 4: List Schools and Submit
Add up to 20 schools and submit. Processing takes 1-3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible? US citizens and permanent residents.
When is the deadline? Federal: June 30, but apply early for maximum aid.