The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form that students must complete to be eligible for federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. The FAFSA is also used by many states and colleges to determine eligibility for their own financial aid programs.

The best part is that filing the FAFSA is completely free. There is no fee to submit the FAFSA online or by mail. There are also many free resources available to help students and families complete the FAFSA, such as the Federal Student Aid website and the FAFSA Helpline.

Here are some tips for filing the FAFSA:

• Start early. The FAFSA opens on October 1st for the following academic year. The earlier you file, the more likely you are to receive the maximum amount of financial aid.
• Gather your tax information. You will need your and your parents’ tax information to complete the FAFSA. If you have not filed your taxes yet, you can estimate your income and taxes on the FAFSA website.
• Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. You will need an FSA ID to sign electronically and submit the FAFSA. You can create an FSA ID on the FSA website.
• Use the FAFSA Helpline. If you have any questions or need help completing the FAFSA, you can call the FAFSA Helpline at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

Filing the FAFSA is an important step in the college financial aid process. By following these tips, you can ensure that you are completing the FAFSA correctly and on time.