FAFSA FAQs

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General FAQs

What is the FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal student aid, such as federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. The FAFSA is often the first step to apply for state and institutional aid.

What is the FAFSA Submission Summary?

Formerly known as the Student Aid Report, it is a summary of the information you submitted to the FAFSA. In mid-March, you will receive an email from the U.S. Department of Education notifying you that your FAFSA Submission Summary is ready to review.

What is a Student Aid Index?

This is a number, calculated by a formula determined by federal law, that is used to determine your eligibility for financial aid. Your Student Aid Index (previously known as the Expected Family Contribution) is based on the financial information you provided on your FAFSA, and will be included in your FAFSA Submission Summary. Please note: this number is not a bill, and is not the amount that you will owe to the college you plan to attend.

Who is considered a contributor/parent?

Your biological and/or legally adoptive parents (regardless of marital status or gender) are considered potential contributors on your FAFSA. Even if you do not live with one or both of your parents, you will still need to report certain information about them to qualify for most federal and state aid. For more help determining who your contributors are, please review this helpful chart.

Why should I complete a FAFSA?

Filing a FAFSA is the first step to qualify for many scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans. The information you provide on your FAFSA helps determine the types and amounts of financial aid you may be eligible for. The FAFSA gives you access to four primary sources of financial aid, which include:

  • Federal financial aid
  • State financial aid
  • Aid from colleges, universities, and other postsecondary schools
  • Some private scholarships and grants

How often do I need to file my FAFSA?

You should file the FAFSA each year you plan to attend college.

Who needs to complete a FAFSA?

Any student, including first-time students, transfer students, and returning students should file the FAFSA each year they are in school.

Does it cost money to file a FAFSA?

No, there is no cost to submit your FAFSA.

When should I file a FAFSA?

You should submit your FAFSA as soon as possible, after it opens each year. The 2025-26 FAFSA is now available on studentaid.gov.

What is the deadline to file a FAFSA?

For the 2025-26 FAFSA, the priority deadline for the Access Missouri Grant program is Feb. 3, 2025. Eligible students who apply by this date are guaranteed to receive the award, with award amounts to be determined later in the year. Students who file the 2025-26 FAFSA by April 1, 2025 may still qualify for the Access Missouri Grant, depending on funding. Students who file after April 1, 2025 will not be eligible for the Access Missouri Grant program.

Important Note: Some colleges and universities may have their own FAFSA deadlines for institutional financial aid opportunities. Please be sure to check with the schools you are considering so that you do not miss their deadline.

How do I file my FAFSA?

The quickest, easiest way to file your FAFSA is online at studentaid.gov. Please review the FAFSA checklist to make sure you have collected all of the information you need before filing.

How do I get the required tax information?

The FAFSA requires previous tax information that should already be filed. You can use the Direct Data Exchange to auto-fill your tax information, if available. To do this, you will need to provide consent: All students and parents must consent to the IRS Direct Data Exchange.

What is the FSA ID?

The FSA ID is a way to identify you electronically to access Federal Student Aid websites. You will need your FSA ID to file the FAFSA each year, and through the lifetime of your student loans.

How do I get my FSA ID?

To create your FSA ID please visit studentaid.gov. You will need your:

  • Social Security number
  • Full name (as it appears on your birth certificate)
  • Date of birth
  • Contact information (physical address, phone number, and personal email address)

You will then create a username, password, and will provide answers to some challenge questions that will help you access your account if you ever forget your username and password. Please choose your username, password, and challenge questions carefully.

When should I create my FSA ID?

You should set up your FSA ID as soon as possible. It takes 3 business days for your FSA ID to process, so you will want to create your ID before you need to file your FAFSA. You can create your FSA ID any time.

Who needs a FSA ID?

Any student filling out the FAFSA will need a FSA ID. If you are a dependent student, at least one of your parents will also need an FSA ID.

What happens after I submit my FAFSA?

Once you submit your FAFSA, your information will automatically be sent to the colleges that you listed on your FAFSA form. Your information will also be sent to the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development so the state can determine whether or not you are eligible for some of the Missouri financial aid programs. Once processed, you will get a FAFSA Submission Summary, which is a summary of the information you submitted. You should review this report as soon as possible and submit any corrections needed.

What should I do if I am asked to verify my FAFSA information?

You may be asked to verify the information you submitted on your FAFSA. Financial aid officers at your college may ask for your income tax records, W-2 forms, 1099 forms, and other documents. You cannot get financial aid until your information has been verified, so please be sure to respond as soon as possible.

What is a student aid/financial aid offer?

If you get accepted into the colleges listed on your FAFSA, the college will calculate your aid and send you a financial aid offer. This offer will include how much aid you are eligible for at that school, and it may also include student loans.

How is my financial need calculated?

Your Student Aid Index is subtracted from a school’s cost of attendance to determine your overall financial need and the type/amount of financial aid you may be eligible for.

How can I get help with my FAFSA?

FAFSA Frenzy offers help at no cost with completing the FAFSA. FAFSA Frenzy activities are held throughout Missouri in the months of January, February, and March. To find an event near you, please view the FASFA Frenzy public event calendar. You may also email journeytocollege@dhewd.mo.gov to set up 1:1 support.

How do I view my FAFSA Submission?

After your FAFSA has been submitted and processed, you will be able to access your online FAFSA Submission Summary by completing the following steps:

What is verification?

A process conducted to check the accuracy of information submitted on the FAFSA. It is intended to combat fraud in the financial aid process. Verification is a normal step in the financial aid process to double check the information on your FAFSA. Verification is not optional and must be completed, if late or not completed it may delay or make you ineligible for federal and institutional aid.

Where can I make changes to my FAFSA?

Under “FAFSA Form Answers” you will see the information you provided and, if applicable, any information provided by your contributors. Review the information and correct or update any of the information. 

How will I know if I have to make corrections to my FAFSA?

In the Next Steps section, you will see comments that may be informational or could require you to submit a correction or send additional documentation to the college you plan to attend.

How do I ensure my changes are accepted?

If you take any action on your FAFSA Submission Summary, such as adding another college, changing information, or correcting a mistake, make sure you click “submit” so the Department of Education will process the FAFSA again and the colleges you listed on the FAFSA will also receive the updates.

FAQs for Students

How do you determine if you’re a dependent or an independent student?

This list of questions can help you determine which type of student you are.

Do I have to be admitted to a school before I can file my FAFSA?

No, you do not have to wait to be admitted to a school to file your FAFSA. In fact, you can list up to 20 colleges to the FAFSA. This could help you compare financial aid offers and make a more informed choice.

Can I add a college or remove one from my FAFSA Form?

If any colleges are missing, if you decided you want to consider another college, or if you want to remove a college from your list, you can do so now.  Also, this part of the FAFSA Submission Summary will have more information about each college, such as graduation rate, retention rate, average cost so you can compare them and decide which is the best fit for you. 

What do I do if I want to transfer schools?

If you transfer to a different college, your new school will need a completed FAFSA before they can award you any financial aid. Be sure to update the federal school code on your FAFSA and contact your new school about your plans to transfer. You can do this by logging into studentaid.gov.

If you need to transfer Missouri student aid, please contact us at 800-473-6757 (select option 4).

My parents are divorced, who do I report as a contributor?

Please see this worksheet to help determine your contributors.

I live with my aunt, and she has legal guardianship. Do I still need my parents’ information?

No, in this case you are considered an independent student, and will not need your parents’ information to file.

I live with a relative or friend, who is not my legal guardian. Do I still need my parents’ information?

Yes, if the person you are staying with is not your legal guardian on paper, you will need your parents’ information to file. If that is not possible, the FAFSA contains a few prompting questions to help you fill out the form. You can also reach out to your desired college for further guidance.

FAQs for Parents

I am a legal guardian, not a biological parent, do I need to file a FAFSA with my student?

No, your student is considered independent, and you will not need to report your information.

I have legally adopted my student, do I need to file a FAFSA with them?

Yes.

My student is currently in college, do I need to file again?

Yes, the FAFSA needs to be filed each year that your student is in school. This will only change if your student gets married, has a child, or turns 24 while in school.

I am divorced, and my student live with me full time. Does my ex-spouse need to be listed as a contributor?

No, but if you are remarried, your current spouse may need their own FSA ID.

I am divorced and we split equal custody, who do we list as a contributor?

The parent with the greater financial contribution should be used as a contributor.

My student doesn’t live with me, am I still a contributor?

If your student is under 24 years old, unmarried, and has no children, you must still file as a contributor.

 I am recently divorced, but on the taxes the FAFSA is asking for I was married. What do I do?

The FAFSA form will ask you what your current marital status is as of filing, and the form will prompt you to input your income accordingly.

What if I got laid off and my taxes do not reflect my change of income?

You will file the FAFSA normally, and then reach out to the financial aid offices at your student’s interested schools for further guidance.

I filed a FAFSA many years ago for myself, do I already have a FSA ID?

Maybe! When you go to create a new FSA ID you will be asked for your social security number and other identifying information. If you already have a FSA ID on file, the system will prompt you to recover your account.

My situation is not listed here, and I still have questions. Who can I reach out to?

You are welcome to email journeytocollege@dhewd.mo.gov and we will attempt to assist you with your question.