Image created by Valeria Ruiz.
What is FASFA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form needed to be filled out by incoming college students to receive government issued financial aid. This year’s data taken from the form will not be distributed to school’s until late March, although FAFSA said that data would be distributed in late January.
Eligibility for the FASFA Form
Eligibility for financial aid may vary as requirements are that the student must be a U.S. citizen (or eligible noncitizen), have a valid social security number, be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program, maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school and provide consent and approval to have federal tax information transferred directly into the 2024–25 FAFSA form. If applying for aid for July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, it is required to sign the certification statement on the FAFSA form stating that the person applying is not in default on a federal student loan, does owe money on a federal student grant and will only use federal student aid for educational purposes; and lastly show qualification to obtain a college or career school education.
To demonstrate this, it is required to have one of the following: a high school diploma or an equivalent (GED,) or completion of high school in a state law approved home school setting. These options may vary for non U.S. citizens, students with criminal convictions and students with intellectual disabilities.
Not only does the form ask for basic information, but it also asks questions regarding income and assets. There is no income limit for FAFSA, if the student is approved for financial aid, data from the form could be sent to the college and career center at said student’s school, state agencies or even colleges as many offer financial aid in the form of scholarships.
For help applying, South Salem High School’s Celia College and Career Center offers assistance. Visit the South library for more information.
