Frequently Asked Questions

The amount of your financial aid award depends on whether you are a full-time or part-time student and whether you attend school for a full academic year or less. If you believe that you have special circumstances that should be taken into account, such as unusual medical or dental expenses or a significant change in income from one year to the next, contact the financial aid administrator at the school to which you are applying.

Aid from the FSA programs will be paid to you through your school. The school will notify you of your aid package by sending you an award letter. Your aid awards will likely be disbursed each semester, quarter, or other payment period. Typically, your school will first use the aid to pay tuition and fee charges and room and board, if provided by the school. The remainder will be paid to you for your other expenses.

You can check the status of your FAFSA on the Web application, Renewal FAFSA on the Web application, or FAFSA Corrections on the Web by selecting Check status of a submitted FAFSA or Print a Signature Page under the FAFSA Follow-Up section of FAFSA on the Web home page. You can also check the status of a paper FAFSA or Renewal application after it has been processed.

• Get a FAFSA form from your high school counselor, local college, or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and review it over your December school break.
• Apply for a PIN number at pin.ed.gov if you plan to file the FAFSA electronically.
• File your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1.
• Respond promptly to all requests for additional information about your FAFSA, SAR, state grants and scholarships, and applications.
• Keep a copy of all applications and documents you file.