FAFSA

The 2025-2026 FAFSA is scheduled to be released on December 1, 2024. If you don't have a StudentAid.gov account (aka FSA ID), click here to create one today. All students and contributors (parent or spouse) are required to have an account to successfully complete their parts of the FAFSA.

Filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a crucial step in receiving the financial aid you’ll need to pay for your postsecondary education. The FAFSA is a form that helps determine how much money you can receive to help pay for college. The form will ask questions about you, such as household income and the number of people in your family and use this information to calculate how much financial aid you qualify for. Based on the information you provide, the government and colleges and universities can also offer you aid to help pay for your postsecondary education, such as grants, scholarships and loans.

Important Things to Know about the 2025-2026 FAFSA:

• The 2025-2026 FAFSA will launch on December 1, 2024 at FAFSA.gov.
• The FAFSA form is FREE to complete.
• Check with your preferred colleges for their financial aid deadlines.
• StudentAid.gov (FSA ID) accounts are required in order for student and parent/spouse ("contributors") to access and complete the FAFSA. Create an account well in advance as it can take several days to process. 
• Provide 2023 income and tax information on the 2025-2026 FAFSA. If your financial situation has changed significantly since 2023 (for example, if a parent changed jobs or stopped working), still submit your 2023 information, but contact the college financial aid office to discuss the changes and your options.

How to prepare for the 2025-2026 FAFSA

Here are some ways you can get ready:

1. Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one).
2. Find out what documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.
3. Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.
4. Dependent students can use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.

About Verification:

In some cases, the Department of Education or your chosen school may select your FAFSA for a process called verification. If chosen for verification, you’ll need to provide additional documentation to confirm that the information you provided on your FAFSA is correct. The additional documentation can include tax transcripts, verification worksheets, and other supporting documents.

Verification is not an indication of wrongdoing; it’s a standard process to ensure the integrity of the financial aid system. Make sure to respond promptly to any verification requests to avoid delays in receiving your financial aid award.

FAFSA Priority Deadlines:

In Virginia, the deadline to submit the form varies by institution. For questions regarding the application and awarding process, contact your college or university’s financial aid office.

Need help?

If you have any questions or need assistance with the FAFSA application and the financial aid process, reach out to your college and career advisor or school counselor or find a college access provider near you. They are there to help guide you through the process and ensure you have the support you need. You can also contact your college or university’s financial aid office if you have questions about the application and awarding process.

Resources:

• Federal Student Aid’s How to Fill Out the FAFSA Form video
• Federal Student Aid Resources

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