It’s FAFSA time!
The 2025-2026 FAFSA is now open and ready for you to file online.
FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
- It is the ONLY way to apply for federal student aid
- Largest provider of student financial aid in the nation
- $150 billion offered annually to help millions of students pay for college or career school
Complete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov.
Filing for FAFSA is essential for students planning on attending college or career school. FAFSA first! is here to help make the application process as easy as possible.
For your 2025-2026 FAFSA application, remember these two things.
- The FAFSA was available as of Dec. 1st. File your FAFSA now, so you can receive financial aid award offers from schools sooner and make informed decisions about college or career school affordability.
- You can use your 2023 Income Tax Return information. The process is easier because you should already have your 2023 income tax information. On the FAFSA form, you and your contributors must provide consent and approval to have your federal tax information transferred directly from the IRS into your FAFSA form.
Watch the 25-26 FAFSA Tutorial Video
Want more information?
Use these reference guides to help you complete the FAFSA.
- FAFSA FAQs – learn more about FAFSA, what financial aid is available and what information you need to apply
Download here: English | Spanish
- How to Create an FSA ID – before you can complete your FAFSA, you will need an FSA ID
Download here: English | Spanish
- How to Get a Tax Transcript
Download here: English
- FAFSA Cheat Sheet – tips and tricks to save time and avoid mistakes
Download here: English | Spanish
- FAFSA Glossary – common terms and acronyms to know
Download here: English
Online resources to guide you:
- To Complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA Form: Click Here
Note: Seniors planning to enroll in a postsecondary school in summer 2025, should ALSO complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA Form.
- To Create and Access your StudentAid.gov (FSA ID) Account: Click Here
Watch “How to Create Your Account Username and Password (FSA ID)” Video: Click Here
- Learn More About Your Dependency Status
(Your dependency status determines whose information you must report when you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form): Click Here
- Is My Parent A Contributor When I Fill Out My 2025-2026 FAFSA Form? graphic: Click Here
Who counts as a parent on the FAFSA® form? Try out the FAFSA Parent Wizard: Click here
Watch "Who Is a Contributor on the 2025-26 FAFSA Form" video: Click here
Why Do My Contributors and I Need Our Own StudentAid.gov Accounts for the FAFSA® Form?: Click here
- Why Go to College or Career School? Click here
Additional Resources for Special Situations
- Federal Student Aid and Homeless Youth: Click Here
- Financial Aid and Undocumented Students: Click Here
Scholarship Resource List
Tool to assist students with their scholarship search. Includes scholarship opportunities that are local, national, and for undocumented/DACA.- To view the Scholarship Resource List: Click Here