The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form used by universities (graduate and undergraduate) to determine eligibility for federal aid. 

The FAFSA has helped thousands of students across the United States to apply for grants, scholarships, work-study programs and loans. But, filling out the forms can be a stressful experience, especially as a first-year student, so I made a quick and concise checklist to help with the process. 

Before we begin, make sure you are always aware of when the renewal process opens for the upcoming academic year. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the FAFSA opened on Nov. 21, 2024 and although the deadline is June 30, 2026, I will always recommend filing early — some financial aid is first-come, first-serve. 

Now onto the steps!

Step one: You and a parent (unless you’re a dependent student) will each need an FSA ID. 

This is your digital signature for the FAFSA, so I would recommend you set this up in advance to avoid last-minute hiccups.

Step two: gather important documents. 

You will need your Social Security number (or Alien Registration number, if applicable), your 2023 tax returns, W-2 forms, bank statements and records of untaxed income. Have these documents on hand to make the process easier. 

Step three: filling out the FAFSA form! 

You will need to go to https://studentaid.gov and log in with your FSA ID. There you can start a new FAFSA for the 2025-2026 academic year! 

Do not forget to create your Save key and answer all the questions about your personal and financial information. 

After submitting your FAFSA, you will receive your Student Aid Report (SAR), which will summarize your information. Please double-check this for any possible errors.

If there are any errors or you have any additional questions for specific information, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center, or contact the Arkansas State University Financial Aid Office.

The FAFSA may seem daunting, but it’s truly worth the effort. I wouldn’t have been able to attend college if it wasn’t for the federal aid I was awarded. 

Hopefully this guide helped you with taking a first step into feeling secure in your academic future!

Categories: Life