The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the key that unlocks money for college. To receive any form of federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study jobs, you must first submit a FAFSA.
Filing the FAFSA is free, so you really have nothing to lose. In fact, you only lose by not filing a FAFSA since some federal awards are grants that don’t need to be repaid. By not filing their FAFSAs, students left $2.7 billion worth of grant money on the table in 2016.
Who can fill out the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is for all students who meet these eligibility requirements:
- Have a high school diploma, General Equivalency Diploma (GED), or completed high school in a state-approved home school setting
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program
- Registered with Selective Service (males only)
- Meet citizenship requirements (US Citizen & Eligible Non-citizen)
- Not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe a refund on a federal grant
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college
For students who do not have legal status in the US, the State of Washington offers financial aid through the WASFA application.
No matter what your or your parents’ income is, you should complete the FAFSA.
What type of aid can I get?
Based on your FAFSA application, you could qualify for federal & state grants, loans, and/or work-study employment.
How do I complete the FAFSA?
The easiest way to complete and submit the FAFSA is online. It includes step-by-step instructions. You can also apply for aid by downloading the FAFSA mobile app.
If you need additional help, Shoreline offers FAFSA Workshops twice a month.
The FAFSA application period opens yearly on October 1, and you need to re-submit a new FAFSA for every year you want aid.
Why should I fill out the FAFSA?
Oh, let us count the reasons!
- Financial aid can help pay for tuition, books, and living expenses.
- Earn while you learn. Some Federal aid is paid out through work study programs, which are on-campus jobs for eligible students. This is a great way to earn money in college while gaining real-world work experience for your resume.
- Save thousands on interest. Federal loans have lower interest rates than private loans, meaning you can literally save a ton of money in interest over the life of your loan.
- Open doors to more than just federal aid. The FAFSA is your first step toward unlocking other financial resources, including college-sponsored awards, Veterans benefits, and some Workforce grants.
Contact the Financial Aid department with questions.