Who Can Apply for FAFSA

You can apply for FAFSA if you are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or may be able to access noncitizen; enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited college, university, or career school; and working toward a degree or certificate. You must also have a valid Social Security number and a high school diploma or GED, or have completed an approved high school equivalency program.

FAFSA is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and professional degree students. You can apply even if you have never attended college before. If you are currently in high school, you can apply starting October 1 of your senior year.

Some students think FAFSA is only for low-income families. That is not true. FAFSA determines your Expected Family Contribution based on your family's financial situation, and many middle- and upper-income families receive some aid. The only way to know what you might receive is to complete the form.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or may be able to access noncitizen with a valid Social Security number to apply for FAFSA.
  • You need a high school diploma, GED, or approved equivalency program completion before you can receive federal aid.
  • You can apply starting October 1 of your senior year in high school, and you should apply as soon as possible because some aid is distributed first-come, first-served.
  • Your family's income does not automatically disqualify you; FAFSA calculates aid based on your specific financial situation, and many families at all income levels receive some aid.
  • You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited school and working toward a degree or certificate to be considered.

Citizenship and Immigration Status Requirements

To apply for FAFSA, you must be one of the following: a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national (a person from American Samoa or Swains Island), or an may be able to access noncitizen. may be able to access noncitizens include permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, victims of human trafficking, and certain other protected statuses.

If you are an undocumented immigrant, you cannot complete FAFSA. However, some states and individual colleges offer their own aid programs for undocumented students. You can contact your school's financial aid office to ask what state or institutional aid might be available to you.

You will need to provide your Social Security number on the FAFSA form. If you do not have one, you can apply for one through the Social Security Administration before you submit FAFSA.

Education Requirements and School Enrollment

You must have earned a high school diploma, passed the GED exam, or completed an approved high school equivalency program before you can receive federal aid. If you are still in high school, you can submit FAFSA before you graduate, but you will not receive aid until your school confirms you have completed your high school requirements.

Your school must be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency and must be participating in the federal student aid program. Most colleges, universities, and career schools meet this requirement, but some do not. If you are unsure whether your school participates, you can ask the financial aid office or check the Federal Student Aid website.

You must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program to be considered for most federal aid. Some programs, such as Parent PLUS loans, have different enrollment requirements. Your school's financial aid office can tell you what enrollment status you need for each type of aid.

Income and Asset Limits

FAFSA does not have an income cutoff. Families at any income level can submit the form and receive aid. The form asks about your family's income, assets, and household size to calculate how much your family is expected to contribute toward your education. This number is called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), now called the Student Aid Index (SAI) as of the 2024–2025 school year.

The higher your family's income and assets, the higher your expected contribution will be, and the less federal aid you may receive. However, even families with high incomes may receive aid in the form of unsubsidized loans or work-study positions. Some schools also use FAFSA information to award their own institutional aid, which may be available to students at higher income levels.

If your family's income changes significantly from year to year, you may receive different aid amounts each year. You must resubmit FAFSA every year you are in school to be considered for aid.

Special Circumstances and Exceptions

If you are an independent student — meaning you do not live with your parents and they do not claim you as a dependent — you may report only your own income and assets on FAFSA, not your parents' financial information. Independent status is determined by specific criteria, such as being age 24 or older, married, a graduate student, a veteran, or having dependents of your own.

If you have a criminal record related to drug possession or distribution, you may lose federal aid. The length of your ineligibility depends on whether the offense was a misdemeanor or felony and whether it was your first offense. You can regain aid by completing a rehabilitation program or after a certain period of time has passed. Contact your school's financial aid office for details about your specific situation.

If you are in default on a federal student loan or owe a refund on a previous federal grant, you may not be able to receive new federal aid until you resolve the debt. Your school's financial aid office can tell you what steps you need to take.

How to Start the FAFSA Process

To apply, you will need to create a login at StudentAid.gov using your email address. You will then complete the FAFSA form online. The form asks for information about your income, assets, household size, and the schools you plan to attend.

You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number (if you have one), and your parents' information if you are a dependent student. If your parents are divorced or separated, you report information for the parent you lived with most during the past 12 months. You will also need your school's Federal School Code, which you can find on the school's website or on StudentAid.gov.

After you submit FAFSA, your school will receive your information and calculate your aid package. This usually takes a few weeks. Your school will then send you a financial aid offer letter showing what aid you have been offered. You do not need to do anything else to be considered — submitting FAFSA is the only step required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for FAFSA if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the type of offense. Drug-related convictions can make you ineligible for federal aid, but other criminal records do not automatically disqualify you. Contact your school's financial aid office with details about your situation, and they can tell you whether you are may be able to access.

What if my parents refuse to provide their financial information?

If you are a dependent student and your parents refuse to help, you cannot complete FAFSA without their information. However, you may be able to establish independent status if you meet certain criteria, such as being age 24 or older, married, or having dependents. Talk to your school's financial aid office about whether you may have access to.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to apply?

No. U.S. nationals and may be able to access noncitizens (including green card holders, refugees, and asylees) can apply. Undocumented immigrants cannot complete FAFSA, but some states and colleges offer their own aid programs. Contact your school's financial aid office to learn what options may be available to you.

Can I apply if I am already in college?

Yes. You can apply for FAFSA at any point during your college career, as long as you are enrolled at least half-time in an accredited school. You must resubmit FAFSA every year you are in school. If you did not apply in previous years, you can still apply now and may receive aid retroactively for the current school year.

What happens if I do not meet the income requirements?

There are no income requirements for FAFSA. Families at any income level can submit the form. Higher income may result in less aid, but you may still receive loans, work-study, or other aid. The only way to know what you might receive is to complete the form.