FAFSA

What is the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free application students complete to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid to help pay for college. This includes grants, work-study opportunities, and federal student loans.

The information provided on the FAFSA is also used by many colleges and states to determine eligibility for additional financial aid, such as scholarships and institutional grants.

Who should complete the FAFSA?

Any U.S. citizen or qualifying non-citizen planning to attend college should consider completing the FAFSA, regardless of their age, income, or financial background.

Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for need-based financial aid, submitting the FAFSA can help you access federal student loans and other potential funding opportunities.

Students must complete a new FAFSA for each academic year they want to receive federal student aid.

How to apply for FAFSA

Students can complete the FAFSA online for free at the federal student aid website.

To get started:

• Create a studentaid.gov account. You’ll need an account to access and submit the FAFSA. Parents or other required contributors may also need their own accounts.
• Gather your information. Have your personal information, financial records, and other required documents ready.
• Complete the application. Answer questions about your education plans and financial circumstances and list the colleges you want to receive your FAFSA information. (Tip: Use University of Bridgeport’s school code 001416 to qualify for available financial aid!)
• Review and submit. Check your information for accuracy and make sure all required contributors have completed their sections.

After submitting, you can review your FAFSA Submission Summary and check for any additional steps needed to complete the process.

Why the FAFSA is so important

Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps students can take when exploring how to pay for college. It helps determine eligibility for different types of financial aid, including:

• Federal grants: Financial assistance that generally does not need to be repaid.
• Federal work-study: Opportunities for eligible students to earn money through part-time employment.
• Federal student loans: Money borrowed to help cover educational expenses that must be repaid.
• State and institutional aid: Additional financial assistance offered by states, colleges, and universities that may use FAFSA information to determine eligibility.

By completing the FAFSA, students can better understand the financial aid opportunities available to them and make more informed decisions about paying for their education.

When should you submit the FAFSA?

Students should complete the FAFSA as early as possible once the application becomes available for their intended academic year.

Although the federal government sets a final FAFSA deadline, colleges and states may have earlier deadlines for certain types of financial aid. Some funding is also limited, so submitting your application early can help ensure you’re considered for available opportunities.

Be sure to review federal, state, and college-specific deadlines, and remember to submit a new FAFSA each academic year.