Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that all students must use to apply for federal financial aid. This free application is produced, distributed, and processed by the U.S. Department of Education and is the only device used to determine a student's eligibility for federal funds.

If you are applying for federal student assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Do not send your FAFSA to Access Group.

Some of the information that you provide on the FAFSA is also required in the Need Access Application, so it is helpful to complete both of these applications at the same time. Some schools require parental information on the FAFSA and the Need Access application.

You should print each page of the FAFSA and save all the records and material used in completing the application, since they may be needed later to prove the validity of your information. If you need help in completing the form, contact the financial aid administrator at the school you plan to attend.

The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal student financial aid programs. To be eligible for these programs, you must:

- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen,
- Be registered with Selective Service (if required),
- Attend a participating school,
- Be working toward a degree or certificate,
- Be making satisfactory academic progress,
- Not owe a refund on a Federal grant or be in default on a Federal educational loan, and
- Have financial need (except for unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan).

In addition:

- Federal student loans must be repaid.
- Conviction of drug distribution or possession may make a student ineligible.

FAFSA Deadlines

The FAFSA should not be signed, dated, or mailed earlier than January 1 of the year for which you are seeking aid. Since it is much easier to complete the form with your tax information in hand, you might consider filing your taxes as early as possible. It takes approximately four weeks for your FAFSA to be processed. Contact your school for deadlines. After your FAFSA information has been processed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Keep a copy of this Student Aid Report because your school may require it.