FAFSA®: Apply for Aid
Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college or grad school.
NEW TO THE FAFSA® PROCESS?Completing the FAFSA form is free. Fill it out now.
RETURNING USER?Correct info • Add a school
View your Student Aid Report (SAR)
Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college or grad school.
NEW TO THE FAFSA® PROCESS?Completing the FAFSA form is free. Fill it out now.
RETURNING USER?Correct info • Add a school
View your Student Aid Report (SAR)
The U.S. Department of Education awards more than $120 billion a year in grants, work-study funds, and low-interest loans to more than 13 million students. Federal student aid covers such expenses as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid also can help pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care. Thousands of schools across the country participate in the federal student aid programs; ask the schools you’re interested in whether they do!
There are three types of federal student aid:
There are three types of federal student aid:
- Grants—financial aid that doesn't have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund)
- Work-study—a work program through which you earn money to help you pay for school
- Loans—borrowed money for college or career school; you must repay your loans, with interest
Basic Eligibility Criteria
- demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
- be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
- have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
- be registered with Selective Service, if you’re a male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25);
- be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
- be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds;
- maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school;
- sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) stating that
- you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant and
- you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes; and
- show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by
- having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
- completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or—if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential—completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law); or
- enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the "ability-to-benefit" alternatives described below.