The current FAFSA form is available online at StudentAid.gov. Applicants who have not applied for financial aid before should create a Federal Student Aid ID on the official FAFSA site, which is required to log in to FAFSA. Dependent students (unmarried and under 24) may also need a parent or guardian to create a FAFSA ID.
FAFSA: What You Need To Know
What Military and Veterans Need to Know About FAFSA
FAFSA, also known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is an important part of paying for college.
With FAFSA, you can apply for grants and other money for college in the form of work-study and loans. In addition to using it to apply for federal student aid, many states and colleges will use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid. Some private financial aid providers also use this information.
You may find some scholarship or grant programs actually require you to use FAFSA as part of the process.
Who is eligible for FAFSA?
You must meet the basic requirements to qualify for federal student aid. You must:
- Have a financial need for most programs
- Must be a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Have a Social Security Number (except qualifying students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
- Must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for the Direct Loan Program funds
- Must maintain satisfactory academic progress
Can you lose your FAFSA eligibility?
You can lose your FAFSA eligibility. The most common reasons this can happen is if you:
- Are in default on a federal student loan.
- Don’t maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Where to Find FAFSA Application Forms
Federal student aid can be used alongside military education benefits, including the GI Bill. Veterans and service members often qualify for both. The government determines eligibility using the Student Aid Index (SAI), a formula that assesses a family’s financial resources to determine need.
Income Exclusions
Federal regulations prevent the government from treating specific military financial resources as taxable income for aid calculations.
- Non-Education Benefits. Applicants do not report disability compensation, death pensions, or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) as income on the application.
- Combat Pay. The financial need calculation excludes tax-exempt combat pay.
- Pell Grant Enhancements. Children of service members who died in the line of duty after September 11, 2001, receive the Maximum Pell Grant award automatically under a special eligibility rule.
Standard Eligibility Requirements
Students must meet federal criteria and academic benchmarks to receive and keep financial aid.
- Citizenship and Identity. Applicants must hold U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status and possess a valid Social Security Number.
- Academic Standing. Students must maintain academic progress according to their school’s specific policy.
- Enrollment Status. Loan programs usually require at least half-time enrollment, while specific grants remain available for part-time students.
- Requirement Removals. Applicants no longer need to register for Selective Service or report prior drug convictions to qualify for federal aid.
Deadlines and Planning
Financial aid cycles open annually in the fall before the start of the next academic year. While the federal government sets a final deadline in June, states and colleges maintain much earlier priority deadlines. Many institutions award specific grants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Resources
RELATED:
- 10 Step Guide to Going to College
- Student Loan Forgiveness & 0% Interest Loans
- Student Loans for Military Spouses
- Troops To Teachers: Top 4 Tips for Veterans to Become Teachers
About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.
