FAFSA & Financial Aid
FAFSA Overview
FAFSA stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid.” Completing the FAFSA form is required for all students who plan to attend college and apply for financial aid from the school, the state, and/or the federal government.
Notes:
- FAFSA opens each year on October 1 for students planning to attend college the following fall. Deadlines for college financial packages will remain the same, so it’s imperative that you complete your FAFSA as soon as possible!
- The FAFSA can be completed online, including from your mobile device.
- Watch the helpful videos below for an overview of FAFSA, instructions on creating an FSA ID, and a step-by-step walkthrough. These resources help simplify the process!
GET STARTED
Step One: Create Your FSA ID
Before you begin the FAFSA, create a Federal Student Aid ID, a secure username, and a password for the student and one parent.
Here’s an FSA ID Worksheet to help you remember your FSA ID information!
Step Two: Complete the FAFSA
Beginning October 1, 2025, the Class of 2026 can complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA using 2024 tax information.
Visit the Federal Student Aid Site starting October 1, 2025
Class of 2026 – What You’ll Need to Complete the 2026–2027 FAFSA Form
FAFSA Estimator
Would you like an estimate of aid before you complete your FAFSA® form? It’s possible when you use the Federal Student Aid Estimator.
FAFSA Help Videos
Financial Aid Events
IDVA and ISID FAFSA Help Sessions coming!
Check your live online classes links.
If you can’t make it to one of these but would like help, please contact Mrs. Mecham! dmecham@idahova.org
More Financial Aid Information
Understanding the financial aid process for school can be perplexing and overwhelming. The websites below will help you navigate through this process with a little more confidence.
Always remember that completing financial aid applications and getting help with the financial aid process is FREE. Be wary of anyone who charges money for financial aid or scholarship searches!
The most comprehensive and complete site for student financial aid. It includes scholarship searches and a cost calculator.
Sponsored by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Officers, this gives important financial aid information for parents and students.
www.uaspire.org/resources/financial-aid-resources
Improving the economic mobility of underrepresented students by increasing access to financial aid and postsecondary pathways.
If you are unhoused
- If you’re a dependent student, determine which parent will need to provide information on your FAFSA form using the Parent Wizard tool. Typically, only one parent needs to be invited to contribute to your form.
- We don’t offer a financial aid program specifically for unhoused students. However, unhoused students can receive money for college or career school if they meet the eligibility requirements for federal student aid and complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.
- If you answer “Yes” to the unaccompanied and homeless question on the FAFSA form, you can complete and submit the form without providing your parent(s) information.
- FAFSA Tips for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
- FAFSA dependency status information—General information about how dependency status is determined on the FAFSA form. Unhoused students may not have to report parent information on the form.