Basic may be able to access for the FAFSA

To fill out the FAFSA, you must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident with a valid Social Security number. You also need a high school diploma, GED, or completion of an approved homeschool program. If you are still in high school, you can start the FAFSA in October of your senior year, even before you graduate.

You must be enrolled or planning to enroll at least half-time in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at a school that participates in federal student aid. Part-time enrollment counts as long as you meet your school's definition of half-time status. Some certificate and vocational programs also may have access to, but not all — your school's financial aid office can confirm whether your program is may be able to access.

There is no age limit. You can file the FAFSA at 17, 35, or 65. There is also no income limit — even high-income families can file, though their aid may be limited or zero based on the Expected Family Contribution calculation.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a high school diploma, GED, or approved homeschool completion to file the FAFSA, and you need a valid Social Security number.
  • U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents can file; undocumented students and international students cannot use the federal FAFSA.
  • You must be enrolled or planning to enroll at least half-time in a degree or certificate program at a school that participates in federal aid.
  • There is no age limit or income limit for filing the FAFSA, though your aid amount depends on your family's financial situation.
  • If you are incarcerated, you are not may be able to access for federal Pell Grants, though you may be may be able to access for loans in some cases.

Citizenship and immigration status requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident (green card holder) to file the FAFSA. Undocumented students and international students cannot use the federal FAFSA, even if they attend a U.S. school and pay taxes.

If you are a permanent resident, you will need your Alien Registration Number (also called your A-number or USCIS number) to complete the FAFSA. This number appears on your green card. If you are a U.S. national but not a citizen — a status that applies to people born in American Samoa or Swains Island — you can also file.

Some states and schools offer aid to undocumented students through separate programs, but those are not part of the federal FAFSA. Your school's financial aid office can tell you what state or institutional aid might be available to you.

School enrollment and program requirements

Your school must be accredited and must participate in the federal student aid program. Most public universities, private colleges, and community colleges do. Some for-profit schools and trade schools participate; others do not. Before you enroll, ask the school's financial aid office whether it participates in federal aid — if it does not, you cannot use FAFSA funds there.

Your program must lead to a degree or recognized certificate. A single course, a non-credit workshop, or a personal enrichment class does not count. Graduate and professional programs (law school, medical school, master's degrees) are may be able to access. Some schools offer both may be able to access and ineligible programs, so confirm with your financial aid office that your specific program qualifies.

You must be enrolled or planning to enroll at least half-time. Half-time is usually defined as 6 credit hours per term for undergraduates, though it varies by school. If you are taking fewer credits, you may still file the FAFSA, but you will not be may be able to access for federal loans or grants.

Satisfactory academic progress and prior debt

Once you are enrolled, your school will require you to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to keep receiving aid. SAP usually means earning a minimum GPA (often 2.0) and completing a certain percentage of your credits each term. If you fall below SAP, your aid will be suspended until you meet the standard again or appeal to your school.

Having student loan debt from another school does not disqualify you from the FAFSA. You can file even if you owe money on previous loans. However, if you are in default on a federal student loan, you become ineligible for new federal aid until you resolve the default — usually by making a payment arrangement or rehabilitating the loan.

If you have received a federal student loan discharge (for example, through a closed-school discharge or permanent disability discharge), you may still file the FAFSA, but your may be able to access for future aid may be affected depending on the reason for the discharge.

Special circumstances: incarceration and other barriers

If you are incarcerated in a federal or state prison, you are not may be able to access for federal Pell Grants. You may be may be able to access for federal loans in some cases, but policies vary by institution and by state. Some states run separate grant programs for incarcerated students; your school's financial aid office can tell you what is available.

If you have a drug conviction on your record, your may be able to access depends on whether the conviction was for possession or sale, and whether it occurred while you were receiving federal aid. A single possession conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but multiple convictions or a sale conviction may. The FAFSA form asks about this; answer honestly, and your school's financial aid office will determine your may be able to access based on your specific situation.

If you are homeless or in foster care, you are still may be able to access to file the FAFSA. You may be able to skip the parental information section even if you are under 24; your school's financial aid office can help you determine whether you meet the definition of independent student.

Dependent versus independent student status

Whether you are considered a dependent or independent student affects how much aid you may receive, because dependent students' aid is based partly on parental income and assets. You are automatically independent if you are 24 or older, married, a graduate student, a veteran, or have a dependent child. You are also independent if you are homeless or in foster care.

If you are under 24 and do not fall into one of those categories, you are considered dependent for FAFSA purposes, even if your parents do not support you financially. This means you must include their income and assets on the form. If your parents refuse to provide information or if you have an unusual family situation, your school's financial aid office may be able to override the dependency status, but this requires documentation and is not automatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file the FAFSA if I am still in high school?

Yes. You can start the FAFSA in October of your senior year. You will need to list the college or university where you plan to enroll, and you can add or change schools later. Your FAFSA will be processed before you graduate.

What if I have a GED instead of a high school diploma?

A GED is accepted. You will need to provide proof of your GED when you enroll in college. If you completed high school through an approved homeschool program, that also counts — your school's financial aid office will tell you what documentation they need.

Can I file the FAFSA if I am an international student?

No. The federal FAFSA is only for U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents. International students may be able to borrow private student loans or receive aid directly from their school, but not federal aid. Check with your school's international student office.

Do I lose may be able to access if I change my major or switch schools?

No. Changing your major does not affect your FAFSA may be able to access as long as your new program is also may be able to access. If you transfer to another school, you will need to update your FAFSA to list the new school, but you remain may be able to access. Your financial aid may change based on the new school's cost of attendance.

What happens to my FAFSA if I take a semester off?

If you are not enrolled, you cannot receive federal aid. When you return and enroll again, you can file a new FAFSA for that term. If you were in good academic standing when you left, you should be may be able to access to receive aid again when you return.