What is FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used by colleges and scholarship organizations to determine eligibility for need-based federal financial aid including grants, work-study, and student loans. To qualify for financial aid and some merit scholarships, students are required to complete the FAFSA. The application opens on October 1 for both new and returning college students who plan to attend college in the fall semester of the following year. Due to the new changes to the FAFSA application, the exact date it will open has not yet been released but is projected to open sometime in December. Students should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. Be aware of individual college, state, and federal deadlines for FAFSA completion because financial aid funding is limited and given out on a first-come-first-served basis.

Why should I complete the FAFSA?

Here are a few of the main reasons to apply:

1. If you want to be eligible for need-based financial aid, or a merit-based scholarship, students are often required to complete the FAFSA, regardless of family income.

2. The FAFSA provides access to over $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds from the federal government.
   

3. Completing FAFSA increases college access. The High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 found that students from the lowest socioeconomic measure who completed a FAFSA were 127% more likely to be enrolled in college the first fall after high school graduation than their counterparts who did not complete a FAFSA.

How do I apply for the FAFSA?

Apply here: Studentaid.gov

Have additional questions? Contact your high school to find out about the Financial Aid and FAFSA Workshops they offer. See your school counselor for help. Or email FAFSA@hawaii.edu with your questions and a local FAFSA specialist from the University of Hawaii System will help answer your questions no matter which college you plan to attend.

Helpful Links:

• College Is Within Reach Hawaii: Find local, virtual supports for completing the FAFSA.
• How Financial Aid Works: Learn about how it works, resources to pay for college and loan repayment options.
  
• Before Filling Out Your FAFSA: What you need to know and have before you fill out the FAFSA
• Who is considered the parent on FAFSA?
• After filling out the FAFSA: What you need to know and do after filling out the FAFSA
• HIDOE FAFSA one page info sheet
  
• View your high school's FAFSA participation rate here