2026-2027�The FSA ID and FAFSA Application Process
Go to “www.STUDENTAID.gov”
Create Your StudentAid.gov Account.
Personal Information.
Checking the box will remove any information in the SSN box, then grey it out.
What if I don’t have a Social Security Number?.
Warning Label
Mailing address is required for
those without a SSN.
This is how the FAFSA is matched with a contributor without an SSN.
Contributor will get error message if mailing address is not provided
Email address will be a required field
Email of account holder only
Associated with single account.
Create Your Username & Password.
Select Communication Preference.
Create Challenge Questions.
Confirm and Verify Account Information.
Verify Phone Number
Two Step Authentication
Not required by recommended
Account created for those with SSN
This is the last step for those with a valid
Social security number
Those without, move to Knowledge based
Identity questions
Knowledge Based Identity Questions�If verified – Instant Availability
Not verified - knowledge based questions
Email sent that account was
Created and person should contact
FSAIC 1
Required Documents
26-27 Dependent Student Process
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FAFSA® Form – StudentAid.gov
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This is the main FAFSA® form landing page. On this page, students are directed to "Start a New Form" or "Edit Existing Form." For the purpose of this presentation, the student is beginning a new application.
Log In
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If the student selects "Start a New Form" from the FAFSA® landing page and they are not logged in to StudentAid.gov, they are taken to the “Log In” page to enter their log-in credentials. To access the FAFSA form, all students are required to have an FSA ID (account username and password). If the student doesn't have an FSA ID, they can select "Create an Account."
Applicant Roles
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After logging in, the student can select the applicable role to fill out the FAFSA® form: “Student,“ or "Parent.“ The student selects “Student."
Parent Role
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After logging in, the parent selects the applicable role to fill out the FAFSA® form: "Parent."
If the student started the FAFSA the parent will be emailed an invitation code to link to the students FAFSA.
Student Onboarding
23
When the student starts the 2026–27 FAFSA® form for the first time, they are taken through the FAFSA onboarding process. The first onboarding page provides an overview of the FAFSA form and an accompanying video.
Student Onboarding
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The second FAFSA® onboarding page provides information about the different roles that may be required to participate in the student’s FAFSA form and documents that may be needed to fill out the form.
Student Onboarding
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The third FAFSA® onboarding page provides information about the types of questions the student can expect to see and how they can get additional help with filling out the FAFSA form.
Student Onboarding
26
The last FAFSA® onboarding page provides information about what to expect once the FAFSA form is completed and submitted. On this page, the student can select "Start the FAFSA form" to begin.
Student Identity Information
27
This is the first page within the student section. The student can verify that their personal information is correct. To update any of the personal information, the student must access their Account Settings on StudentAid.gov. For fields related to the student’s mailing address, the student can edit them directly on this page.
Student Identity Information
28
New Jersey
Student State of Legal Residence
29
The student is asked about their state of legal residence. The student selects the state from a dropdown box and provides the month and year when they became a legal resident.
Student Provides Consent
30
This page informs the student about consent and their federal tax information. By providing consent, the student’s federal tax information is transferred directly into the FAFSA® form from the IRS to help complete the Student Financials section. The student selects "Approve" to provide consent and is taken to the next page.
Student Provides Consent
31
Personal Circumstances
32
This is the first page within the Student Personal Circumstances section. It provides an overview of the section.
Student Marital Status
33
The student is asked about their marital status. The student selects the "Single (Never Married)" option.
Student College or Career School
34
The student is asked about their college grade level for the 2026–27 school year and if they will have their first bachelor’s degree. The student selects that they will be a "First Year (freshman)" and that they will not have their first bachelor’s degree.
Student Personal Circumstances
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The student is asked if any of the listed personal circumstances apply to them. The student selects the "None of these apply" option.
Student Other Circumstances
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The student is asked if they were homeless or at risk of being homeless. The student selects "No."
Student Unusual Circumstances
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The student is asked if unusual circumstances prevent them from contacting their parent(s). The student selects "No."
Student Dependency Status
38
Based on the answers provided by the student, they are considered a dependent student. The student is asked if they want a financial aid administrator to determine their eligibility for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan only. This is an option if the student’s parents are unwilling to provide information. The student selects "No."
Student Demographics
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This is the first view within the Student Demographics section. It provides an overview of the section.
Student Demographic Information
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The student is asked demographic information. The student selects their response from the options for both questions.
Student Race and Ethnicity
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The student is asked race and ethnicity. The student selects all that apply.
Once selected the selection expands.
Student Citizenship Status
42
The student is asked about their citizenship status. The student selects the "U.S. citizen or national" option.
Should complete the
NJ DREAMER Application
for state aid only
Parent Education Status
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The student is asked about their parents’ education status. The student selects the “No” option.
Parent Killed in Line of Duty
44
The student is asked if their parent was killed in the line of duty. The student selects the “No” option.
High School Completion Status
45
The student is asked about what their high school completion status will be when they start the 2025–26 school year. The student selects the "High school diploma" option.
Student High School Information
46
Because the student selected high school diploma, the student is asked to select which high school they did or will graduate from. The student enters the high school’s state and city. After selecting "Search," the student selects the correct high school from the search results.
Student Confirms High School
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The student has the option to edit the high school information presented on this page by selecting "Edit," which will return them to the high school information page. The student confirms their high school information and selects "Continue" to proceed to the next section.
Student Financials
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This is the first page within the Student Financials section. It provides an overview of the section.
Student Tax Return Information
49
The student is asked questions about their 2024 tax return. The student enters a response in each entry field.
Student Assets
50
The student is asked about their assets. The student enters a response in each entry field.
Student Select Colleges
51
This is the first page in the Select Colleges section, which is the final part of the FAFSA® form’s student section to require information. It provides an overview of the section.
College Search
52
The student is asked to search for the colleges and/or career schools they would like to receive their FAFSA® information. The student searches for a school by entering a state, city, and/or school name. After selecting "Search," they select the correct school from the search results. Students can select to send their FAFSA information to a maximum of 20 schools.
Student Selected Colleges
53
The student can view which colleges and/or career schools they have selected. If the student has not selected 20 schools, they have the option to search and select more schools, and for students in some states, they have the option to change the position of their selected schools. When the student selects "Continue," they will have completed entering the required student information for their section and can proceed to review and sign their form.
Invite the Parent as a Contributor
Tell Us About Your Parents
55
As the student is considered dependent, they are asked to provide information about their parents. The FAFSA® form considers their “Parent” to be their legal (biological or adoptive) parent. The student is asked if their parents are married. The student selects "Yes" and is required to invite their parents to their FAFSA form to complete the required parent sections.
Invite Parent with an email address. Once email entered student confirms to send.
testparent@aol.com
testparent@aol.com?
Student Receives Confirmation
testparent@aol.com
Student Review Page
58
The review page displays the responses that the student has provided in the FAFSA® form. The student can view all their responses by selecting "Expand All" or expand each section individually. To edit a response, the student can select the question’s hyperlink and will be taken to the corresponding page. Additionally, since the student invited their parent into the form, they see the parent contributor section and the status of their parent’s invite.
Student Review Page - Invitation Code
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testparent@aol.com
Student Signature
60
On this page, the student acknowledges the terms and conditions of the FAFSA® form and signs their section. After agreeing and signing, the student is able to submit their section of the FAFSA form. Since parent information has not been provided, the FAFSA form is not considered complete and can’t be processed yet.
Student Signature
61
Student Section Complete
62
Upon signing the student section, the student is presented the student section complete page. This page displays information for the student about next steps, including tracking their FAFSA® form. The student is reminded that their form is not completed and can’t be submitted until the parent completes the contributor section of the form and signs it. Next, in this scenario, the student’s invited parent will enter the FAFSA form and complete the parent section.
Student Section Complete
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Student’s Parent Email
64
This is NOT a view within StudentAid.gov nor the FAFSA® form. This view demonstrates a parent opening the FAFSA invitation from their email. The parent selects “Log In" and is taken to StudentAid.gov.
Dependent Student: Parent Log-in
65
The parent is taken from their email to the "Log In" page to enter their credentials. To access the FAFSA® form, all users are required to have a StudentAid.gov account username and password. If the parent doesn't have a username and password, they can select "Create an Account."
Parent Invitation Code
Parent must log in with an invitation code. Once they enter the code, they must agree to share their information.
67
When the parent selects "Submit," a pop-up window appears, confirming the student’s name and reminding the parent that their personal information is needed to fill out the student’s FAFSA® form. The parent selects "Accept" to agree to sharing their information and enters the FAFSA form.
Dependent Student: Parent Accepts Invitation
(continued)
Parent Onboarding
68
When the parent enters a 2026–27 FAFSA® form for the first time, they are taken through the FAFSA onboarding process. The first onboarding page provides an overview of the FAFSA form and an accompanying video.
Parent Onboarding
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The second FAFSA® onboarding page provides information about the different roles that may be required to complete the student’s FAFSA form and the documents that may be needed to fill out the form.
Parent Onboarding
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The third onboarding page provides information about the types of questions the parent can expect to see and how they can get help in filling out the FAFSA® form.
Parent Onboarding
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The last onboarding page provides information about what to expect once the FAFSA® form is completed and submitted. On this page, the parent selects "Start the FAFSA form" to begin the parent section.
Parent Identity Information
72
This is the first page within the parent section. The parent can verify that their personal information is correct. To update any of the personal information, the parent must access their Account Settings on StudentAid.gov. For fields related to the parent’s mailing address, the parent can edit them directly on this page.
Parent Identity Information
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State of Legal Residence
Parent Provides Consent
75
This page informs the parent about consent and their federal tax information. By providing consent, the parents federal tax information is transferred directly into the FAFSA® form from the IRS to help complete the Parent Financials section. The parent selects "Approve" to provide consent and is taken to the next page.
Parent Provides Consent
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Parent Demographics
77
This is the first page in the Parent Demographics section. It provides an overview of the section.
Parent Current Marital Status
78
The parent is asked about their current marital status. They select the "Married (not Separated)" option.
Parent State of Legal Residence
79
The parent is asked about their state of legal residence. The parent selects the state from a dropdown box and provides the month and year when they became a legal resident.
Parent Financials
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This is the first page within the Parent Financials section. It provides an overview of the section.
Parent Federal Benefits Received
81
This page asks the parent if they or anyone in their family has received federal benefits. The parent selects "None of these apply."
Dependent Student: Parent Tax Filing Status
82
This page asks the parent about their tax filing status. The parent selects "Yes" to "Did or will the parent file a 2024 IRS Form 1040 or 1040-NR?" and "Yes" to "Did or will the parent file a 2024 joint tax return with their current spouse?"
Parent Family Size
83
This page asks the parent if their family size has changed. The parent selects the “Yes“ option.
Adjusting family size
Number in College
Parent Tax Filing Status
85
This page asks the parent about their tax filing status. The parent selects "Yes" to "Did or will the parent file a 2023 joint tax return with their current spouse?"
Dependent Student: Parent Tax Return Information
86
The parent is asked questions about their 2024 tax return. The parent enters a response in each entry field. If the parent has nothing to report, the parent enters the numeral zero.
Dependent Student’s Parent Assets
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The parent is asked about their assets. The parent enters a response in each entry field.
Even with consenting to FTI tax fliers will see a few tax questions on the form- including EITC, taxable grants/scholarships, foreign earned income exclusion.
Manual path will be presented for separated/divorced parents whose tax filing status is not an accurate reflection of martial status, those who experienced identity theft at the IRS, and undocumented individuals who do not file.
Invite the Parent’s Spouse
Parent Invites Spouse with email address
Parent Review Page
90
The review page displays the responses that the parent has provided in the FAFSA® form. In this scenario, the parent can only view responses within the parent section of the student’s FAFSA form. The parent can view all their responses by selecting "Expand All" or expand each section individually. To edit a response, the parent can select the question’s hyperlink to be taken to the corresponding page.
Parent Signature
91
On this page, the parent acknowledges the terms and conditions
of the FAFSA® form and signs their section. Since all required sections are complete, the parent can both sign and submit the student’s FAFSA form.
FOR DEADLINE PURPOSES, THE FAFSA IS NOT SUBMITTED UNTL THE LAST CONTRIBUTOR SIGNS AND SUBMITS.
FAFSA® Confirmation
92
Upon submitting the student’s FAFSA® form, the parent is presented an abbreviated confirmation page. This page displays information about tracking the student’s FAFSA form and next steps. The student will receive an email with the full, detailed confirmation. With the student and parent sections completed and signed, the FAFSA form is now considered complete and submitted for processing.
FAFSA Submission Summary Landing Page
93
The student receives a FAFSA Submission Summary for their processed FAFSA® form and any subsequent corrections that they submit. The FAFSA Submission Summary is broken into four tabs: Eligibility Overview, FAFSA Form Answers, School Information, and Next Steps. At the top, the student will see information about when their form was received and processed. They also have the option to print their FAFSA Submission Summary to keep for their records.
Eligibility Overview
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On the Eligibility Overview tab, the student sees information about what federal student aid they may be eligible for, such as a Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loans. They are also able to view the Student Aid Index. Any amounts of financial aid that display on this tab are estimates and are not guaranteed. Final determination of the student’s financial aid eligibility is provided by their school’s financial aid office.
Eligibility Overview
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This is a continuation of the "Eligibility Overview" tab of the FAFSA Submission Summary. The student can view their Student Aid Index. The school's financial aid office provides final determination of the student’s financial aid eligibility.
FAFSA Form Answers
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On the "FAFSA Form Answers" tab, the student sees the answers provided on their FAFSA® form. If any of the provided answers are incorrect, the student can choose "Make a Correction."
FAFSA Form Answers (continued)
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School Information
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On the School Information tab, the student sees information about the college(s) and/or career school(s) that they selected to send their FAFSA® information. The student can compare the graduation rate, retention rate, transfer rate, default rate, median debt upon completion, and average annual cost of their selected schools.
Next Steps
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On the Next Steps tab, the student sees comments that pertain to their FAFSA® form. Some comments may require the student to start a correction or send additional documentation to their school. Other comments may be informational and do not require any further action from the student.
More Resources
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Lastly, along the right side of the FAFSA Submission Summary, the student can access additional resources, including links to "My Aid" or College Scorecard.
Student Portal
New Jersey Financial Aid Management System
All Students Must Register
Student Portal Welcome Page
To Do List�All incomplete tasks and outstanding documents will be list and available to upload
To Do List for 2026-2027
2024
Award and Eligibility Information
Provides clear language on TAG as an estimated award & emphasizes the deadlines
PV = Pending Verification. Incomplete tasks or outstanding documents
Award and Eligibility Information
Filing Deadlines & Complete State Record Deadlines
All students who
received TAG during
25-26 academic year MUST complete the 2026-2027 New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application by April 15, 2026.
All other student must file by September 15, 2025. All requests listed on the students NJFAMS “To Do” list Must be submitted or completed by October 1, 2025 for the 25-26 academic year.
Questions