Step-by-Step Guide to
Filling Out the FAFSA
Adapted from: https://www.finder.com/steps-to-fill-out-the-fafsa
Step 1. Know your deadline.
It is advised to have you FAFSA filled out by OCTOBER 1st, 2022 for the school year of 2023/2024
FAFSA deadline for the 2022/2023 academic year: June 30, 2022- Just remember- you can lose spring and fall financial aid—including federal student loans—by filing this late.
Be sure to find out if your school’s state has any specific due dates outside of the federal deadline. Don’t know which school you’re going to yet? Look at the deadlines for all schools you’re considering attending.
FAFSA deadlines by state and other important dates
Step 2. Get your documents together.
The documents you’ll need complete your FAFSA depend on your citizenship and financial independence.
Click this link to view a list of documents you may need when applying for federal aid.
Step 3. Create an FSA ID.
You know how much time you’ve have to submit your forms, and you’ve gathered the necessary documents. Now, you’re ready to start your application.
Well, almost: You need to create a FSA ID before you can tackle the FAFSA questions.
Click this link to learn how to create a FSA ID.
Step 4. Start your application.
Once you’re ready to start answering the FAFSA questions, go back to the Federal Student Aid website to finally get started on your application. You’ll need the student’s FSA ID for this step.
Click this link for instruction on how to get started.
Step 5. Complete your demographic information.
The first FAFSA questions are about your name, date of birth and other basic identifying information. If you’ve already submitted a FAFSA, it automatically completes this section.
Click this link for more information on how to complete this section.
Step 6. Select your schools.
Select every school you’re considering attending — even if you haven’t gotten an acceptance letter or completed an application. This way, you’ll have your application in on time wherever you end up going. Other schools will simply ignore your FAFSA if you end up not attending.
Click this link for a screenshot of this page.
Step 7. Answer questions about your dependency status.
Step 8. Answer questions on parent demographics.
Your parents will enter personal and financial details like their birthday, marital status, household size and tax information. If your parent passed away but your stepparent is alive, your stepparent is not considered your legal parent unless they’ve adopted you.
Click here for a screenshot of this page.
Step 9. Fill out information on your finances.
You and your parents need to upload information on your personal finances. But it’s not as complicated as you might think: FSA uses the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) that allows you to upload tax forms without having to get them yourself ahead of time. You’re eligible to use this tool if you’ve already submitted your taxes for the year.
Click here to learn how to use the DRT.
Step 10. Sign and submit your FAFSA.
You’re done answering the questions on the FAFSA. Now it’s time to electronically sign it, along with any supporting documents by logging in with your FSA ID. If you’re a dependent, your parents will also need to sign your FAFSA form by logging in with their individual FSA ID.
Click here for a screenshot of this page.
What happens after I submit my FAFSA?
What happens after your FAFSA depends on the type of federal aid you’re applying for. After you submit your application, FAFSA shares your information with the schools you listed on the application, your state’s higher education agency and higher education agencies in the states of schools that you applied for.
Have questions?
Phone resource: The Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) provides answers to questions about federal student aid and completing the FAFSA. To reach the FSAIC, call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). This hotline is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Online resource: https://studentaidhelp.ed.gov/
Contact the financial aid office of your college:
LTC: phone: (920) 693-1718 email: financial.aid@gotoltc.edu
UW Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus: https://www.uwgb.edu/financial-aid/contact-us/
Please contact me with your transition questions.
Sarah Braeger
Transition Specialist
Sheboygan Area School District
Office: (920) 803-7609