The FAFSA opens October 1 each year, and you submit it directly to the federal government through fafsa.gov

You do not go through your school or a third party. You create a login at fafsa.gov using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), then answer questions about your finances, family size, and household status. The form itself takes 20 to 40 minutes if you have your tax documents ready. You can start as soon as October 1 and submit anytime through the deadline — which is usually June 30 of the following year, though individual schools may have earlier deadlines.

The federal government processes your submission and sends a Student Aid Report (SAR) to your email. Your school then uses that report to calculate how much federal aid you may receive. You do not need to wait for the SAR to arrive before choosing a school or enrolling — you can submit the FAFSA before you have decided where to go.

Key Takeaways

  • You submit the FAFSA yourself at fafsa.gov starting October 1 each year, using a login tied to your Social Security number or ITIN.
  • Have your tax return, W-2s, and bank statements ready before you start, because the form asks for specific income and asset figures.
  • The form takes 20 to 40 minutes and you can save your progress and return later if you need to gather documents.
  • After you submit, the federal government sends a Student Aid Report to your email, which your school uses to calculate your aid package.
  • You can submit the FAFSA before you have chosen a school, and you can list up to 10 schools to receive your information.

What documents you need before you start

Gather your most recent tax return and your parents' most recent tax return (if you are a dependent). You will also need your Social Security number or ITIN, your parents' Social Security numbers or ITINs, and your driver's license or state ID number if you have one. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need your Alien Registration Number.

Have your bank and investment account statements available — the form asks for the total value of savings and investments as of the date you submit. If you receive Social Security benefits, unemployment, or other income, have those statements too. If your parents own a business or farm, have that information ready as well. You do not need to have every document perfect; the form will tell you what is required and what is optional as you go.

Creating your login and starting the form

Go to fafsa.gov and select "Create a Login." You will need your Social Security number or ITIN and a valid email address. The system will ask you to set a password and answer security questions. Save your login information somewhere you can find it again — you may need to return to the form later, and your school may also ask you to log back in.

Once you are logged in, select "Start a New FAFSA" and choose the school year you are applying for (for example, 2024–2025). The form will ask whether you are a dependent or independent student. This is a legal definition, not based on whether your parents support you financially. Most students under 24 are considered dependents unless they are married, have children, or are in the military. If you are unsure, the form includes a dependency status quiz.

Filling in your personal and family information

The form walks through sections in order: your name and contact information, your parents' names and contact information (if you are a dependent), your household size, and your state of residence. Answer honestly — the form cross-checks your answers against tax records and other government databases.

When you reach the income section, enter the figures from your tax return and your parents' tax return. If you have not filed taxes yet, enter zero or your best estimate; you can update it later. The form asks for adjusted gross income, income tax paid, and untaxed income (such as Social Security or workers' compensation). If you are self-employed or your parents are, you will enter net business income. Do not round or estimate — use the exact figures from your return.

The asset section asks for the current value of savings accounts, checking accounts, and investments. Do not include the value of your home, retirement accounts (like 401(k)s or IRAs), or college savings plans (like 529 plans) — those are not counted. If you have no assets, enter zero.

Listing schools and reviewing your answers

You can list up to 10 schools that will receive your FAFSA information. Search by school name or by city. The form will ask whether you want to receive information about other schools' aid programs — you can say yes or no. Adding schools does not commit you to attending; it simply means they will see your financial information and can send you an aid package.

Before you submit, review your answers on the summary page. Check that your name, date of birth, and Social Security number are correct, and that your income figures match your tax return. If you see an error, go back and fix it. Once you submit, you cannot change your answers through the form — you will have to contact your school or the Federal Student Aid office to make corrections.

Submitting and what happens next

Click "Submit" when you are ready. The form will ask you to sign it electronically using your Social Security number or ITIN. If you are a dependent, your parent or guardian must also sign electronically. You can sign on the same day or at different times — the form will save your progress.

After both signatures are complete, the form is submitted to the federal government. You will see a confirmation message on the screen, and you should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. The federal government typically processes your FAFSA within three to five business days and sends your Student Aid Report to your email. Your school will receive the information at the same time and will use it to calculate your aid package within one to two weeks.

If there are questions about your answers, the federal government may contact you by email or phone. Respond as quickly as you can — delays in responding can delay your aid. You can check the status of your FAFSA anytime by logging back into fafsa.gov.

Updating your FAFSA if your situation changes

If your income, family size, or other circumstances change after you submit, you can make corrections. Log back into fafsa.gov, select your FAFSA, and choose "Make Corrections." Update the information that has changed and resubmit. Your school will receive the updated information and may recalculate your aid.

If you filed taxes after submitting your FAFSA with an estimate, update your form with your actual tax figures as soon as your return is filed. Many schools ask to see your tax return anyway, so having accurate numbers on your FAFSA prevents delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit the FAFSA every year?

Yes. The FAFSA is for one school year only. You must submit a new FAFSA each October for the following school year. If you are already in school, your financial situation may change, so you need to reapply even if you think your aid will be the same.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. If you do not have either, contact your school's financial aid office — they can tell you what documentation you need and may be able to help you get an ITIN.

Can I submit the FAFSA if I have not decided which school to attend?

Yes. You can submit the FAFSA without listing any schools, or you can add schools later. Schools will not receive your information until you list them, so you have time to decide. You can add or remove schools anytime before the deadline.

What if I make a mistake after I submit?

Log back into fafsa.gov, select your FAFSA, and choose "Make Corrections." Update the incorrect information and resubmit. Your school will receive the corrected version. The sooner you correct it, the sooner your school can recalculate your aid if needed.

How long does it take to get my Student Aid Report?

The federal government typically processes your FAFSA within three to five business days and sends your Student Aid Report to your email. Your school receives it at the same time and usually calculates your aid package within one to two weeks, though this varies by school.