FAFSA Student Guide 2025-26

Introduction

This guide is for students completing the FAFSA form for the 2025–26 academic year. It’s recommended that students complete their section before any parent or spouse contributors. Students must file a new FAFSA for each academic year.

Step 1: Getting Started

Visit studentaid.gov and log in using your FSA ID. If you don’t have one, create an account by clicking “Create an FSA ID." 

Select “I am a student and want to access the FAFSA form.”

Step 2: Application Year

Choose the correct FAFSA year: 2025–26 for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026 enrollment. 2026-2027 for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027.

Click on “Start a New Form” is this is your first time filing for the academic year. Or, click on “Edit Existing Form” if you need to make an update to your FAFSA.

Select “Student” under the section labeled “I am starting the FAFSA form as a __.” Then click “Continue.”

Step 3: Understanding the FAFSA

What is the FAFSA?

It’s the Free Application for Federal Student Aid used to apply for grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.

Contributors

You may need to invite contributors (parents or spouse) to complete their sections. They’ll need their own FSA ID.

Consent and IRS Data

Consent is required to import tax data from the IRS. Without it, you’ll be ineligible for federal aid.

After Submission

Forms are processed within 3 days. You’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary and Student Aid Index (SAI).

Step 4: Identity and Address

After choosing “Start FAFSA form,” you will confirm your name, date of birth, SSN, email, phone number, and permanent mailing address. Click "Continue."

Step 5: Legal Residence

Enter your state of legal residence and the date you became a resident. Click "Continue."

Step 6: Consent and Approval

Consent is required to import your tax data from the IRS. Without it, you will be ineligible for federal aid. Click “Approve.”

Step 7: IRS Data Transfer

Once consent is given, your tax data will be securely imported. If unsuccessful, you’ll need to enter it manually. Once the process has completed, click “Continue,” regardless of it was successful or not.

Step 8: Personal Circumstances

Answer questions about marital status, college plans, homelessness, and unusual circumstances.

Step 9: Dependency Status

Based on your answers, you’ll be classified as:

  • Independent
  • Provisionally Independent
  • Dependent

Dependent students must invite parents to complete their section. If your parent is willing to provide their information, select “No” under “Apply for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan Only,” then click “Continue.”

Step 10: Contributor Invitations

Invite your spouse or parent(s) to complete their required sections. Provide their full legal name, DOB, SSN, and email. You will not be able to continue with the application until an invite has been sent. If your parent or spouse does not have an FSA ID, it is recommended they create one several days in advance to avoid delays when completing the contributor version of the FAFSA.

Note: your parent’s email address must be different than yours. Make sure everything is spelled accurately, including any capitalizations, dashes, spaces, etc. Then click on “Send Invite.” Then click “Continue.”

Step 11: Student Demographics

Answer optional questions about gender, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, and parent education level. Your responses in this section do not affect your federal student aid eligibility.

Step 12: High School Information

Provide your high school completion status and school details.

Step 13: Student Finances

Provide financial information including:

  • Federal benefits received
  • Tax filing status
  • Family size and number in college
  • Income earned, AGI, tax paid
  • Education credits and other tax details
  • Assets and child support received

Step 14: College Selection

Select up to 20 colleges to receive your FAFSA information. Use school name or code to search. You can correct your FAFSA later if you want to add or change a school.

Step 15: Review and Signature

Review all sections. Electronically sign using your FSA ID. Certify that all information is accurate by checking the “Agree” box, then click “Sign.” 

Step 16: Final Confirmation

Once all contributors have completed their sections, the FAFSA form is submitted for processing. We recommend that you print the confirmation page or write down the Data Release Number (DRN). You may need to provide the DRN to a school at a later date.

You’ll receive a confirmation email and can track the status via studentaid.gov.

Please note that an incomplete FAFSA will be deleted after 45 days of inactivity. Be sure to have your contributor complete their portion in a timely manner, or you will need to start over from the beginning.

NIU School Code

Use NIU's School Code when completing the FAFSA.

001737