If you’re planning to go to college (or you’re already here), filling out the FAFSA is one of the most important things you can do each year. It’s your gateway to federal financial aid, and it can open the door to grants, work-study jobs and loans to help cover the cost of school.
Even if you think you might not qualify for aid, it’s still worth filling out. Here’s what you need to know to make the process way less intimidating.
First, what is the FAFSA?
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s a form you fill out each year to apply for financial aid from the federal government — and a lot of states, universities (including Marshall) and scholarship programs use your FAFSA info too.
Who should fill it out?
Short answer: pretty much everyone.
If you’re planning to use financial aid to attend college, including Marshall, submit a FAFSA, even if you think you won’t qualify. You might be eligible for more than you expect, and many scholarships require it as part of their application process.
What you need before you start
- Gather this info ahead of time so filling it out goes smoothly:
- Your FSA ID (you can create one at studentaid.gov)
- Your Social Security number
- Your parents’ Social Security numbers (if you’re a dependent)
- Tax info (usually for the past two years)
- Records of untaxed income
- Bank account balances and other financial info
How to fill it out
- Go to StudentAid.gov
- Log in with your FSA ID
- Add your personal and financial info
- List any schools you’re considering — even if you haven’t applied yet
- Sign and submit
Heads up: If your parents are helping you fill it out, they’ll need their own FSA ID and financial details too.
Important deadlines
The FAFSA opens every year on October 1, and you should submit it as early as possible. Aid is often first-come, first-served, so don’t wait!
Deadlines vary:
- Federal deadline: Usually June 30 (for the following school year)
- State and school deadlines: These can be much earlier, so check Marshall’s Financial Aid page to stay on top of them
Common FAFSA mistakes to avoid
- Missing deadlines
- Using the wrong tax year
- Forgetting to sign and submit
- Leaving out schools
- Skipping the FAFSA altogether!
Double-check everything. Even small errors can slow down your aid.
What happens after you submit your FAFSA
You’ll get a confirmation and then a Student Aid Report (SAR), which summarizes the info you entered. From there, schools will use your data to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI) and send you a breakdown of your aid package.
That includes grants, loans and any work-study offers. Once you get offers from the schools you listed, you can compare them and choose what works best for you.
Have questions or need help along the way? Reach out to Marshall’s Office of Student Financial Assistance. They’ll walk you through the process, help you avoid common pitfalls and make sure you’re getting every dollar you qualify for.