FAFSA is for students seeking federal money for college, and most undergraduates and some graduate students can fill it out

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is how you tell the federal government you want money to pay for school. If you are a U.S. citizen or may be able to access noncitizen enrolled in a degree or certificate program at an accredited college, university, or career school, you can fill one out. The form itself is free. What you receive — grants, loans, or work-study — depends on your family's income, assets, and the cost of the school you choose.

You do not need to be poor to fill out the FAFSA. Families at all income levels can receive federal aid, though the amount typically decreases as income rises. Some students receive only loans; others receive grants that do not need to be repaid. The only way to know what you may have access to for is to submit the form.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or may be able to access noncitizen to fill out the FAFSA and receive federal aid.
  • You must be enrolled or accepted into an accredited degree or certificate program at a school that participates in federal aid programs.
  • You need a Social Security number and a valid driver's license or state ID to create a Federal Student Aid ID and complete the form.
  • Graduate students can receive federal loans but not federal grants; parent PLUS loans are available only for undergraduate students.
  • You can fill out the FAFSA even if you do not expect to receive aid, because some schools use it to award their own money.

Citizenship and immigration status requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or an may be able to access noncitizen to fill out the FAFSA. U.S. citizens and nationals can apply without restriction. may be able to access noncitizens include people with a green card (permanent resident status), people with an I-797 form showing they have been granted asylum or refugee status, and people with a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

If you are in the United States on a student visa (F-1 or M-1), you cannot fill out the FAFSA or receive federal aid. Some schools offer their own aid to international students, so contact the financial aid office at the school you want to attend to ask what is available. Undocumented immigrants cannot receive federal aid, though some states and individual schools have created their own aid programs for this group.

Enrollment status and school requirements

You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program at a school that participates in the federal student aid program. This includes four-year universities, two-year community colleges, and career and technical schools. The school must be accredited by a recognized accrediting body — the U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of accredited schools on its website.

You cannot receive federal aid for non-degree programs, continuing education courses, or high school completion programs, even if they are offered by an accredited institution. If you are unsure whether your program qualifies, contact the financial aid office at your school or check the Federal Student Aid website.

Age and academic progress rules

There is no age limit to fill out the FAFSA. High school seniors, adults returning to school, and people in their 60s or older can all apply. However, you must be making satisfactory academic progress toward your degree to keep receiving aid in years after the first one. What counts as satisfactory progress varies by school — typically it means passing a certain number of credits per year and maintaining a minimum grade point average.

If you have already earned a bachelor's degree, you cannot receive federal grants or subsidized loans for a second bachelor's degree, though you may be able to borrow unsubsidized loans or Parent PLUS loans if you are pursuing a graduate degree. Some schools have additional rules about how many times you can receive aid, so check with your financial aid office.

What you need to fill out the FAFSA

To complete the FAFSA online, you will need a Federal Student Aid ID, which you create using your Social Security number and a valid driver's license or state ID. You will also need your parents' information if you are a dependent student — their Social Security numbers, income, and tax information. If you are an independent student, you need only your own information.

Have your most recent tax return available, or your parents' tax return if they file taxes. If you have not filed taxes yet, you can use estimates and correct them later. You will also need the school code for each college you want to send your FAFSA information to — you can find these codes on the Federal Student Aid website or on each school's financial aid page.

Dependent versus independent student status

The federal government considers most students under age 24 to be dependent on their parents for financial aid purposes, even if they live on their own or pay their own bills. Dependent students must report their parents' income and assets on the FAFSA, and the amount of aid they receive is based partly on what their parents can afford to pay.

You are considered independent if you are 24 or older, married, a graduate student, a veteran, in foster care or homeless, or have legal dependents other than a spouse. Independent students report only their own income and assets. If you are under 24 and do not fit any of these categories, you are dependent, even if your parents refuse to help pay for school. Some schools have additional rules about dependency status, so ask your financial aid office if you are unsure.

Graduate and professional students

Graduate students can fill out the FAFSA and borrow federal loans, but they cannot receive federal grants. The main federal loan available to graduate students is the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, which has higher borrowing limits than undergraduate loans. Graduate students can also borrow Graduate PLUS loans, which have no aggregate limit but require a credit check.

Professional students in law, medicine, dentistry, and other fields follow the same rules as other graduate students. Parent PLUS loans are available only for undergraduate students, not for graduate or professional students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out the FAFSA if I have a criminal record?

A criminal record does not disqualify you from the FAFSA. However, if you have a drug conviction, you may lose aid may be able to access. The rules depend on whether the conviction was for possession or sale, and whether it was a first or repeat offense. Contact your school's financial aid office to discuss your specific situation.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You need a Social Security number to create a Federal Student Aid ID and fill out the FAFSA. If you are an may be able to access noncitizen without a Social Security number, you can apply for one through the Social Security Administration. Some schools may have alternative processes — contact your financial aid office to ask.

Can I fill out the FAFSA if I am not sure which school I want to attend?

Yes. You can submit the FAFSA without listing any schools, or you can add schools later. You can also change which schools receive your information at any time. However, schools use your FAFSA information to determine how much aid to offer, so submitting it early gives you more time to compare offers.

Do I have to fill out the FAFSA if I think my family makes too much money?

You should fill it out anyway. There is no income limit for the FAFSA, and some federal aid is available to families at all income levels. Additionally, many schools use the FAFSA to award their own money, which may have different income rules. The only way to know what you might receive is to submit the form.

Can I fill out the FAFSA for a second bachelor's degree?

You can fill out the FAFSA, but you will not be able to receive federal grants or subsidized loans. You may be able to borrow unsubsidized federal loans, depending on your school's policies. Some schools do not allow federal aid for second bachelor's degrees, so contact your financial aid office before enrolling.