FAFSA: Facts and Fiction
get the truth -- and the money you need for college
Don't let misconceptions about the FAFSA prevent you from getting the money you need for college. Here's the truth behind some questions you might have about filling out this critical financial aid form:
FICTION
I need a computer to file the FAFSA.
FACT
You can file your FAFSA on your phone with the myStudentAid app! It's free at the Apple App Store (iOS) or the Google Play store (Android). You can also request a form be sent to you so you can mail it back in by calling 1-800-4FED-AID.
FICTION
It takes a really long time to fill out the FAFSA.
FACT
The average time to complete a FAFSA is only 22-30 minutes. Here's a worksheet you can use to get an idea of what the form looks like and what information it asks for. There's also lots of help available -- even a FAFSA YouTube channel!
FICTION
I need to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for financial aid.
FACT
Students who fall into certain non-citizen statuses are eligible for federal financial aid. See a list here. Your parents' citizenship
does NOT impact your eligibility. Learn more about financial aid options available to DACA recipients.
FICTION
My family must have filed their tax returns before I can file the FAFSA.
FACT
You can use what's called "prior-prior year" taxes to complete the FAFSA. That means that for the 2023 FAFSA, you use 2021 information.FICTION
I need to pay a fee to file the FAFSA.
FACT
Filing the FAFSA is free -- it's right there in the name! Avoid any website or mobile app that requires a payment -- that means it isn't the official FAFSA site or the official myStudentAid app.
FICTION
I don't need to fill out the FAFSA.
FACT
The FAFSA not only enables you to apply for federal grants and low-interest loans, it's also the form that states and individual colleges use to determine your need-based aid. Check the FAFSA submission deadline for your state.FICTION
I need both parents' information to complete the FAFSA.
FACT
It depends. There are many situations when you only need one parent's information to complete the FAFSA -- and you might not even need that. The FAFSA considers many different family situations, and so will your college's financial aid office. Learn more about parent involvement.FICTION
The FAFSA asks for a lot of information and I won't be able to find it.
FACT
The information the FAFSA collects includes things you can easily access, like your Social Security number, bank statements and driver's license. You don' t even have to have your tax forms on hand: there's a tool that can pull them in automatically for you! See a checklist of the information you need to file the FAFSA.