file your fafsa

FAFSA

What is the FAFSA?

What is the FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is an application you fill out annually to determine how much aid you’re eligible for. The FAFSA will ask you things such as your family’s income, tax information, and other financial information. Normally, the FAFSA becomes available each year on Oct. 1; however, due to updates to the FAFSA, the 2024–2025 FAFSA is expected to be available in December 2023 (and not in October). 

For students starting in Spring or Summer 2024, the 2023–2024 FAFSA is open.

Why do I need to submit a FAFSA?

The FAFSA enables a partnership between you, ASU, and the Department of Education. When you submit a FAFSA, you ensure that you are being considered for the maximum amount of aid to help pay for college.

You and your family

Your family needs it to know what college will cost once financial aid sources are factored in.

The department of education

The federal government needs it to determine if you’re eligible for federal Pell grants.

Your college or university

ASU needs it to offer you need-based aid from the university.

What do the 2024–2025 FAFSA changes mean for me?

Several changes to the FAFSA will go into effect with the upcoming aid year. The FAFSA will be available in December 2023 for students enrolling in the fall 2024 semester. Here is what you need to know right now about the FAFSA updates.

Streamlined application

For most students there will be less than half of the questions than on prior FAFSAs. A direct data share from the IRS to the FAFSA has been implemented to simplify the student and parent experience.

Introducing contributors

A contributor is anyone who is required to provide information and consent on the FAFSA. This includes the student and, depending on the student situation, may also include their parent, parent’s spouse or student’s spouse.

FSA ID requirement

All contributors must have their own FSA ID to complete their section of the FAFSA. If you have not already, create your FSA ID today.

 

How do I submit my FAFSA?

To file your FAFSA, go to FAFSA.gov. You will need the following:
 

  1. Bank statements and records if applicable  
  2. Alien registration number (if you are not a U.S citizen)
  3. Tax returns, W-2s and other records of money earned from the prior-prior tax year.
  4. Your Social Security number.
  5. Record of untaxed income (if applicable).
  6. A FSA ID to sign your FAFSA electronically. (If you're a dependent, your parent will to create one, too.)
Which FAFSA year?

 

Tip: Your FAFSA application will ask you things such as your family’s income and how many people are in your family. These questions help determine how much aid you’re eligible for. You have to submit a FAFSA every year because circumstances can change. But don’t worry, it takes only about 30 minutes to fill out the FAFSA application and there are plenty of resources to help you. Start with this FAFSA guide.

Watch this instructional video on how to submit the FAFSA

 

Frequently asked questions

ASU’s Federal School Code is 001081.

There are no income requirements to be considered for federal student aid. Many factors beyond income are important to determine eligibility, so we recommend that all students complete a FAFSA to be considered for the maximum amount of aid

Yes, students can file a FAFSA to receive financial aid for graduate school. Graduate students are considered independent and do not have to report parent or guardian earnings to be eligible for federal student aid.

Most international students are not eligible to receive federal student aid, but there are opportunities to find private aid, such as scholarships. The FAFSA is open to U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens.

Any student who wants to apply for financial aid and who can complete the FAFSA, should complete the FAFSA. However, a student must have a Social Security number to complete a FAFSA application and some of the students who are impacted by Prop. 308 may not be eligible to complete the FAFSA. Students can visit ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10009.pdffor more information on how to obtain an SSN.

CSS Profile: CSS Profile is an online application used by colleges to award nonfederal institutional aid. The tool helps us determine eligibility and understand your specific financial situation. CSS Profile is available to qualifying domestic noncitizens who are unable to complete the FAFSA. ASU's CSS Code is 4007.

Please note: If you are eligible to submit the FAFSA, do not submit a CSS Profile application.

What happens after I submit my FAFSA?

What happens after I submit my FAFSA?

We may need help confirming information on your FAFSA so you get the right financial aid. This is called ‘verification,’ and it’s a common thing. If we need more information, you’ll be contacted. We hit pause on processing your financial aid during this time but start up again after you’ve submitted the documents we need.

Verfication FAQs

ASU FAFSA calendar and deadlines

December 2023

FAFSA opens

The FAFSA opens for the following year. The earlier you submit, the more financial aid you’re likely to get. Get started on yours as soon as possible.

March 1

FAFSA priority date 

Submit your FAFSA before ASU's priority filing date of March 1 to maximize the amount of aid you receive. Eligible students who apply by this date have a greater chance of receiving need-based aid.

 

 

Which FAFSA year?

 

Incoming on-campus students

Incoming on-campus first-year and transfer students
Connect with your admission team member.

Incoming graduate students
Connect with your admission team member.

Incoming military/veteran students
Connect with your Pat Tillman Veterans Center team member.

Incoming International students
Connect with your admission team member.

Incoming ASU Online students

Call us at 
1-855-278-5080

or visit the My ASU Help tab to email a specific question.

Current students

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