Complete FAFSA

Overview

Complete FAFSA if not done. FAFSA opens in December (not October 1 as in previous years). Until then, prepare documents and create FSA IDs.

FAFSA Updated Timeline

No Longer October 1

• FAFSA Simplification Act (2024)
• Opens in December
• For 2026-27 academic year: expected December 2025

Specific 2026-27 Opening

• Estimated December 2025
• Exact date announced by Department of Education
• Watch studentaid.gov

Compared to 2024-25

• 2024-25 FAFSA: Opened December 30, 2024
• 2025-26 FAFSA: Opened December 2025
• Expect similar pattern

October Preparation

Create FSA IDs

• Both student and parent
• studentaid.gov/fsa-id
• 1-3 day verification
• Different emails required

Gather Documents

• 2024 federal tax returns
• 2024 W-2 forms
• 2024 1099 forms
• Investment statements
• Small business information (if applicable)

Understand Changes

• Student Aid Index (SAI) replaces EFC
• Contributor concept
• Simpler for most families

When FAFSA Opens

Complete ASAP

• First week of opening
• Priority deadlines approaching
• Better processing

Who Files

• Both student and parent
• Non-custodial parent if required
• Married parents both

Time to Complete

• 30-60 minutes
• Save multiple times
• Complete sections by section

Sections of FAFSA

Student Information

• Name, DOB, SSN
• Contact info
• Citizenship status

Parent Information

• Parent 1 and Parent 2
• Employment
• Financial details

Tax Information

• IRS Data Retrieval Tool
• Automatic import
• Verification by IRS

Asset Information

• Cash and checking
• Investments
• Real estate
• Business assets

School Selection

• Add each college
• Up to 20 schools
• Financial aid sent to each

After FAFSA Submission

Confirmation Email

• SAR (Student Aid Report) emailed
• Review for accuracy
• Correct if needed

School Processing

• 5-7 business days
• Schools receive FAFSA
• Begin financial aid review

Verification

• Some selected for verification
• Additional documentation required
• Usually within 6 months

Cal Grant Specific

California Priority

• March 2, 2026 for Cal Grant
• FAFSA submitted
• GPA verified
• Both required

GPA Verification

• Your high school submits
• Confirm with counselor
• Automatic in most cases

Cal Grant Types

• Cal Grant A: Tuition
• Cal Grant B: Tuition + stipend
• Cal Grant C: Career/technical

California Dream Act

For AB 540 Students

• Undocumented
• DACA
• Eligible non-citizens

CADAA Application

• dream.csac.ca.gov
• Instead of FAFSA
• Similar process
• Same deadline (March 2)

Qualifies For

• Cal Grant
• UC Grant
• Middle Class Scholarship

Documents Needed

Tax Returns

• Federal Form 1040 (2024)
• Schedule 1, 2, 3 (if applicable)
• Schedule C (self-employed)
• State returns

Income Documentation

• W-2 forms (all jobs)
• 1099 forms (freelance, investments)
• Social Security benefits
• Veterans benefits
• Unemployment

Investment Records

• Brokerage statements
• Mutual fund statements
• Savings accounts
• Current market values

Other

• Child support received/paid
• Alimony received/paid
• Retirement account balances

Special Situations

Divorced Parents

• Contributor: parent who provided more financial support
• Not necessarily custodial
• May need multiple parents

Non-Custodial Parent

• Some schools require separate form
• Not federal FAFSA requirement
• CSS Profile may require

Step-Parent

• If married to FAFSA parent
• Considered household member
• Income included

Independent Student

• 24+ years old
• Married
• Military veteran
• Legal ward
• Foster youth
• Homeless

Completing FAFSA

IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)

• Automatically imports tax data
• Reduces errors
• Saves time

Manual Entry

• If DRT unavailable
• Follow instructions carefully
• Cross-reference tax documents

Proofread

• Review before submitting
• Check for typos
• Verify numbers

Sign and Submit

• FSA IDs needed
• Both student and parent
• Cannot submit without both signatures

Common Errors

Asset Values

• Current (day of FAFSA) values
• Not highest value
• Specific date required

Business Income

• Net vs. gross
• Specific lines from Schedule C

Sibling in College

• Include if enrolled
• Affects SAI calculation
• Potential aid increase

Contributor Identification

• Divorce complicated cases
• Consult specific rules
• May require both parents

School Selection

All Colleges Applied To

• UC, CSU, private, out-of-state
• Add each specifically
• FAFSA sends aid info to each

20 School Limit

• Order doesn't matter
• No preference order
• Each reviews independently

Adding Schools Later

• Can add up to 10 at a time
• Until deadline
• Priority order separate

After Initial Submission

Corrections

• If errors noticed
• Return to FAFSA
• Make corrections

Update with New Information

• Change in family
• New tax year
• Employment changes

Verification Requests

• May be selected
• Submit documents requested
• Sometimes IDOC for CSS Profile schools

If You Miss FAFSA

Still File

• Can file until school's deadline
• Varies by school
• Later = reduced aid options

Priority Deadlines

• School-specific
• Typically January-February
• Some March-April

Late Application

• Federal aid still available
• Some grants gone
• Cal Grant: March 2 essential

Follow-Up

SAR Review

• Student Aid Report
• Check for accuracy
• Correct if needed

School Financial Aid Packages

• Received after admission
• Review carefully
• Compare offers

Verification

• Some selected
• Submit additional documents
• May affect aid timing

Long-Term Considerations

Annual Renewal

• FAFSA each year
• Simpler renewal
• Most data imported

Stacking Aid

• Federal + State + Institutional + External
• Each has rules
• Strategy matters

Impact on Merit Aid

• Some colleges subtract
• Others stack
• Know each school's policy

For Parents

Your Role

• Contributor information
• Tax documentation
• Signature on FAFSA

Confidentiality

• Don't share SSN freely
• Secure passwords
• Trusted contacts only

Communication

• Talk to student about finances
• Be honest
• Avoid hidden details

Post-FAFSA

School Aid Packages

• Arrive February-April
• Compare across schools
• Review details

Making Decisions

• Based on cost + fit
• May 1 deadline for commitment
• Strategic planning

Ongoing

• Annual renewal
• Merit-based scholarships
• External scholarships