Applying to Fafsa

What is the FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application students must complete to apply for federal and state student assistance. Many colleges and universities also require the FAFSA to be considered for additional institutional aid.

Learn more: fafsa.ed.gov

To complete the FAFSA application:

Students will need:

• Their and their parents prior year W-2 forms (if they worked)
• Their and their parents prior year tax forms (if they filed)
• Student’s Social Security Number
• Parent’s Social Security Numbers (if applicable)
• Student and Parent Legal Permanent Residency Cards (green card) if applicable
• Parent’s marital status and marriage/divorce date (month/year)
• Parent’s date of birth (month/day/year)
• Record of untaxed income such as social security benefits or welfare benefits

When to apply: Application is available October 1 through March 2

We strongly recommend students complete the application as early as possible before March 2. All financial data submitted is subject to verification.

Students who wish to apply for the 10,000 Degrees Undergraduate Scholarship must first fill out the FAFSA OR California DREAM ACT application. Eligible students must file the free application for federal student aid (fafsa) before completing the 10,000 Degrees application.