The is the document that all students must complete annually in order to qualify for federal and state financial aid, including grants, work study and student loans. Additionally, the information from the may be required for some scholarship applications.
What is the FAFSA?
The is used to collect information about you and your family’s household and finances. This includes information from tax documents (such as your W-2 and other IRS forms) and your living situation (how many people are in your family).
Why do I need to complete the FAFSA?
The government uses the information you provide on the to determine your family’s Student Aid Index (SAI). This number is the dollar amount that your family can reasonably contribute to the total cost of attendance. The federal government will then send you and your college a Student Aid Report (SAR) that will provide your SAI and other important information.
The important thing to remember about the SAI is that it is not the amount you will have to pay out of pocket for college. Your family’s contribution may come in the form of assistance with travel expenses (like gas and car insurance), housing/food (like living at home or giving you money for groceries), or other miscellaneous expenses. Your family is likely already covering these costs.
How does my college use the FAFSA?
The college you attend will estimate your cost of attendance (| | ) and then subtract the SAI to determine your financial need. Once they determine this they can put together a financial aid package to help you pay for college. The financial aid package they put together can include grants, work study, student loans and any scholarships that you have received.
When should I file my FAFSA?
The is released October 1 of every year. This is because the FAFSA uses information from your W-2 and taxes from two years ago. This means that a senior completing the 2025-2026 FAFSA would utilize their 2023 income information.
Where can I find the FAFSA?
Most students complete the FAFSA on-line. Go to to start your FAFSA or learn more about it.
Estimate your EFC and Financial Aid
You can estimate your SAI using the on the . You can also estimate your financial aid at each of the Arizona universities using the tools on their websites. | |