FAF$A first!

It’s FAFSA time!

The 2023-2024 FAFSA is now open and ready for you to file online.

Complete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov

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.

FAFSA completion guide Click Here.

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 2023-2024 FAFSA application, remember these two things.

The FAFSA is available as of Oct. 1. 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 2021 Income Tax Return information. The process is easier because you should already have your 2021 income tax information. You can even use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import your tax information directly from the IRS website into your FAFSA to avoid errors.

Ready to start? Go to studentaid.gov

Want more information?

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 | Creole

Myth vs. Fact – the facts about filing your FAFSA
Download here: English | Spanish | Creole

How to Create an FSA ID – before you can complete your FAFSA, you will need an FSA ID
Download here: English | Spanish | Creole

FAFSA Cheat Sheet – tips and tricks to save time and avoid mistakes
Download here: English | Spanish | Creole

FAFSA Glossary – common terms and acronyms to know
Download here: English | Spanish | Creole

Verification: FAQ – learn more about what verification is, what you need to do and next steps
Download here: English

Ready to start? Go to studentaid.gov

Online resources to guide you:

How to Create an FSA ID: Click Here

FAFSA Worksheet – Seniors, complete this before you begin the online application to make sure you have everything ready
Click here: English | Spanish

Do I have to provide my parents information on the FAFSA?
Click here: English | Spanish

Simple Steps to Transfer Tax Information Into Your FAFSA (IRS Data Retrieval Tool)
Click here: English | Spanish

Am I Eligible for Aid? (Even if you think you don’t qualify STILL apply because many scholarships and awards require an application be processed)
Click here: English | Spanish

After the FAFSA: What Happens Next? Click here

Why Go to College or Career School? Click here

Ready to start? Go to studentaid.gov

Additional Resources for Special Situations

Federal Student Aid and Homeless Youth: Click Here

Financial Aid and Undocumented Students: Click Here

Scholarship Sources for DACA and Undocumented Students:

SWFL Community Foundation: Click Here

Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Click Here

The Dream: Click Here

Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund: Click Here

Salvadoran American Legal Defense and Education Fund: Click Here

USA Hello: Click Here

Tweets by FAFSAFirst

Ready to start? Go to studentaid.gov/v

About the FAFSA first! campaign
The FutureMakers Coalition developed this campaign to increase FAFSA completion among high school seniors in Southwest Florida and create a culture of FAFSA awareness for both high school students and parents.

Comprised of educators, workforce developers, business leaders, economic development professionals, government officials, residents and students, the FutureMakers Coalition is a collective impact initiative focused on bringing together stakeholders from throughout the Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Pathway. Their goal is to transform the workforce by increasing the number of Southwest Florida residents with degrees, certificates and other high-quality credentials by 2025.