FAFSA Customer FAQ

Yes, it is necessary to reapply for the FAFSA every year to continue receiving financial aid for college. The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is used to determine a student's eligibility for federal aid programs, including grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Each academic year can have different financial situations, so submitting a new application helps to reflect any changes in income, family status, or the number of family members attending college. The FAFSA application period typically opens on October 1 for the following academic year, and students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to maximize their chances of receiving aid. It is important to stay informed about deadlines and requirements, as they may change from year to year. For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the FAFSA process, the official website at studentaid.gov provides comprehensive resources.

Ensure that both parent and student have created FSA IDs. Double-check that all required fields in the application are complete. Try clearing your browser's cache or using a different browser. If the issue persists, use a different device to attempt the signature.

If your login attempt on FAFSA indicates that your Social Security Number (SSN) is wrong, double-check to make sure you're entering it correctly. It's a common mistake to input an incorrect SSN. If you've confirmed that the number is correct yet the issue persists, your SSN might not yet be in the FAFSA system, or there could be a mismatch between the information you're entering and what is on the file. Please provide exactly the same information you provided while initially applying for FAFSA to avoid any discrepancies. In such scenarios, you need to resolve the issue directly with FAFSA's support.

Each individual child needs to fill out their own FAFSA form. If you have more than one child attending college, you cannot include them both on the same FAFSA form. Each student must complete his or her own form using their unique identifiers and information. While the process may feel redundant because you'll likely provide much of the same parental information on each form, it's necessary for the Department of Education to accurately issue need-based financial aid.

If a student changes schools after enrollment, they will need to add the new school to their FAFSA. To do this, they will log in to their FAFSA account, select the "Add or Delete a School Code" option, and provide the new school's Federal School Code. After adding the new school, they need to submit their updated FAFSA information. The new school will then have access to the student's FAFSA data and can determine the student's financial aid package. Note that financial aid may vary as it depends on the school's cost of attendance.