Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid—or FAFSA—is your ticket to college financial aid. You must complete and file the FAFSA on time to qualify for financial aid from the federal government, the State of Indiana and from the college you plan to attend.
     

    What is the FAFSA?
    The FAFSA is the gold standard for determining your eligibility for financial aid, money to help you pay for college. The easiest way to file the FAFSA is online at FAFSA.gov. If you prefer to mail your FAFSA, a printer-friendly PDF also is available at FAFSA.gov.  (The form is available October 1.)

    After filing your FAFSA, your college will be able to tell you which scholarships and grants you could receive as well as how much money you can borrow in loans.
     

    Who should file the FAFSA?
    Anyone who will be enrolled in college the following fall should file the FAFSA, including high school seniors and returning college students. You should file the FAFSA even if you’re not sure if you will enroll, or if you are currently in college. You’ll never know your financial aid package if you don’t file the FAFSA. And if you fail to file, you could lose scholarships and other financial aid you currently have.

    21st Century Scholars must file the FAFSA each year following high school graduation even if you’re not attending college for that academic year. The FAFSA filing keeps the 21st Century Scholarship active. 
     

    What’s the deadline?
    In order to receive state financial aid, you should file the FAFSA by April 15. The form is available October 1.

     
    Need help filing FAFSA?
    At College Goal Sunday financial aid professionals from Indiana colleges and universities help students who qualify for undergraduate admission to college or technical school in 2017 complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  In one afternoon at College Goal Sunday, students and their families can get free help and file the form online.
     

     

    College Goal Sunday 2018 will take place on Sunday, October 28th and Sunday, February 24th, at sites throughout the state. 
     
    Don't Pay for the FAFSA!
    Several websites offer help filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for a fee.  These sites are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education.  The official FAFSA is at www.fafsa.gov, and you can get help from:
    If you are asked for your credit card information while filling out the FAFSA online, you are not at the official government site.  Remember, the FAFSA site address has .gov in it!
     
     
    Other FAFSA Resources