Seniors, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion begins October 1, 2026, for the 2027-28 school year. In order to begin the process, you will need to create an FSA ID. Now is the time to create this ID. The FSA ID is a username and password that will allow the student and one parent access to their information kept by the U.S. Department of Education. It will confirm your identity when accessing financial aid information and will allow you to sign your federal aid documents. You must have a social security number to create this FSA ID. It is best to do this prior to October 2026 in case any issues come up regarding social security numbers. You don’t need to rush to complete the FAFSA on October 1, the day it opens but you should have it completed by the end of October.
The student and one parent will need separate FSA ID’s, and they cannot be shared. It is also important to keep passwords in a safe place for future access.