FAFSA
FAFSA
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines eligibility for grants, scholarships, and loans. It is required for federal student aid, such as the Pell Grant and work study, as well as most State of Michigan aid programs like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship (Michigan Achievement Scholarship).
The FAFSA submission will typically be processed in one to three days and once processed, applicants can review the summary and FAFSA information will be made available to selected schools.
Applicants may also make updates or corrections (such as adding a school or a missing signature) to a FAFSA form.
Submitting the FAFSA is important for several reasons:
- Eligibility for Federal Aid:
- Completing the FAFSA is the first step to access federal financial aid. This includes grants (like the Pell Grant), work-study programs, and federal student loans.
- State Aid:
- Students must complete the current year FAFSA to be considered for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Michigan Achievement Scholarship), and the Community College Guarantee (Community College Guarantee).
- College/University Aid:
- Colleges and universities often use FAFSA data to determine eligibility for their own scholarships and institutional aid programs. Some schools may even require FAFSA completion for non-federal aid.
- Financial Aid for Private Scholarships:
- Some private scholarships or external funding organizations require the FAFSA to help determine need-based awards.
- Changes in Financial Status:
- If a family’s financial situation changes, the FAFSA may help provide access to additional aid or accommodations through school or federal programs.
Prepare To Fill Out the FAFSA® Form
- Create a StudentAid.gov account
- Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.
- Determine your dependency status and whether a parent(s) will be required to contribute information on the FAFSA form.
- If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) is a required contributor.
Apply now! FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid
For more information on the college application process, students are encouraged to contact their LOHS counselor. Please visit the LOHS Counseling webpage for more information.