The FAFSA: What Parents Need to Know

Planning for college can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to figuring out how to pay for it. The good news is, there’s a simple form that can help alleviate some of that financial stress, and it’s completely free to fill out. Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps to help your student reach their goals after high school.

What Is the FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s an application that determines whether a student is eligible for grants, scholarships, work-study, or student loans to help pay for college or career school.

Why It Matters

Every student should complete the FAFSA. Many schools and states require it to offer scholarships or financial aid.

Filling out the FAFSA gives your child more options. Without submitting the FAFSA, your family could miss out on thousands of dollars in assistance. Some aid is given out on a first-come, first-served basis, so submitting the FAFSA early can make a big difference.

Important Deadlines for the 2026–27 School Year

• State: Check the FAFSA site to see when you need to file in your state, as each state has their own deadline. In Ohio, the deadline is October 1, 2026 — Submit by 11:59 p.m. Central Time (12:59 a.m. Eastern Time).
• Federal: June 30, 2027 — Last day to submit your FAFSA.
• College: Varies by school — Check with your college or university’s financial aid office for details.

What You’ll Need to Complete the FAFSA

You’ll need the following on hand:

• Parent and student Social Security Numbers (SSNs)
• Parent and student tax returns and W-2s (if you filed taxes)
• The 2026-2027 FAFSA requires 2024 tax information.
• Records of untaxed income (like child support or disability benefits)
• Bank account balances and savings
• FSA ID for both the parent and student (create this at studentaid.gov/fsa-id)

Please note that if a student has a court-appointed legal guardian, they’re considered independent and only report their own information.

Where to Find These Needed Items

• Social Security Numbers (SSNs): On your Social Security card or tax documents.
• 2025 Tax Returns & W-2s: From your employer (W-2 form mailed or online) or through the IRS at irs.gov. If you haven’t filed yet, gather pay stubs and estimate.
• Untaxed Income Records: Letters or benefit statements from programs like SNAP, TANF, or child support agencies.
• Bank Account Balances: Check your most recent bank statement or online/mobile banking app.
• FSA ID: Create online at studentaid.gov/fsa-id — you’ll need an email address.

Steps to Get Started

1. Visit studentaid.gov.
2. Create an FSA ID for both the parent and student.
3. Start the FAFSA application.
• Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to safely transfer tax information.
• If you haven’t filed taxes yet, estimate your income and update later.
4. Submit early to improve your chances for financial aid.

Common Misconceptions about the FAFSA

• “I don’t make enough money for my child to go to college.”
• The FAFSA is designed to help families with limited income. Many students qualify for grants and scholarships.
• “Only certain people qualify for aid.”
• Not true! Eligibility is based on many factors. Most families qualify for some type of financial aid.
• “My child isn’t sure about college yet.”
• That’s okay! Fill out the FAFSA anyway — you don’t need to know the exact school yet, and it keeps all options open.
• “We’ll do it later.”
• Submit early — some aid is first-come, first-served.

Where to Get Help

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

• Visit studentaid.gov/help for step-by-step guides and videos.
• Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.
• Contact your student’s school counselor or college financial aid office for support.

Every student’s path after high school is different, but taking advantage of available support can make a real difference for anyone. Filling out the FAFSA is a crucial first step to make college or career school more affordable and keep opportunities open.