Do you need to fill out the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) but do not know where to start? We are here to help! Let's walk through the process step by step.
1. Create a StudentAid.gov account. (FSA ID)
Every contributor—anyone (you, your spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or your parent's spouse) who's required to provide information on the FAFSA form—needs a StudentAid.gov account before accessing and completing their section of the online form. We strongly recommend you and your contributor(s) create StudentAid.gov accounts before starting your FAFSA form. When you create your account, be careful to enter your name and Social Security number (SSN) exactly as they appear on your Social Security card. Contributors can access their StudentAid.gov account by using their FSA ID (account username and password).
Note: Contributors without an SSN can create a StudentAid.gov account to fill out their portion of your FAFSA form online.
IMPORTANT: Some of the most common FAFSA errors occur when the student and contributor mix up their FSA IDs. If you do not want your financial aid to be delayed, it is extremely important that each contributor and each student create his or her own FSA ID and that they do not share it with ANYONE.
2. Start the FAFSA at studentaid.gov.
The 2025–26 FAFSA form will have a soft launch on October 1, 2024 and a full opening on or before December 1, 2024. Even if your school's deadline is not for a while, you should complete the FAFSA form as soon as possible. Do not wait until the last minute to apply!
Go to studentaid.gov to get started.
Choose which FAFSA form you would like to complete:
- 2025–26 FAFSA form if you will be attending college Fall 25, Spring 26 or Summer 26.
- 2024–25 FAFSA form if you will be attending college Fall 24, Spring 25 or Summer 25.
- Both: If you will be attending college during both time periods and have not completed your 2024–25 FAFSA form yet, complete that first, then go back in and complete the 2025–26 FAFSA form in late December.
TIP: If you are given the option to complete a “renewal” FAFSA form, choose that option. When you choose to renew your FAFSA form, your demographic information from the previous year will roll over into your new application, saving you some time. Remember, the FAFSA form is not a one-time thing. You must complete a FAFSA form for each school year.
3. Fill out the Student Demographics section.
This is information such as your name, date of birth, etc. If you have completed the FAFSA form in the past or if you log into the FAFSA form with your FSA ID, a lot of your personal information will be prepopulated to save you time. Make sure you enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your Social Security card. (That is right, no nicknames.)
Contributors: Remember that the FAFSA form is the student’s application, not yours. When the FAFSA form says “you” or “your,” it is referring to the student. Pay attention to whether you are being asked for student or parent/spouse information.
4. List the schools to which you want your FAFSA information sent.
In the School Selection section, you can add up to 20 schools so add every school you are considering, even if you have not applied or been accepted yet. The school code for Vernon College is 010060.
5. Answer the dependency status questions.
The FAFSA form asks a series of questions that determine whether you are a dependent or independent student for purposes of applying for federal student aid. If you are a dependent student, you must report parent information, as well as your own information, on your application. If you’re curious, you can find out now whether you’re a dependent student.
The dependency guidelines are set by Congress and are different from those used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Even if you live on your own, support yourself, and file taxes on your own, you may still be considered a dependent student for federal student aid purposes. If you are determined to be a dependent student, you will be required to report information about your parent(s). If you are determined to be an independent student, you will not have to provide parent information and you can skip the next step.
6. Fill out the Parent Demographics section.
This is where your parent(s) will provide basic demographic information. Remember that it does not matter if you do not live with your parent(s); you still must report information about them if you were determined to be a dependent student in the step above.
7. Supply your financial information.
Your contributor’s federal tax information will be transferred from the IRS into your FAFSA form.
All contributors must provide consent and approval for the U.S. Department of Education to
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disclose their personally identifiable information provided on the FAFSA form to the IRS to match their information with their tax information;
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obtain their federal tax information from the IRS and include with the FAFSA form;
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use their federal tax information to determine your Student Aid Index and Pell Grant eligibility
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share their federal tax information with colleges, career/trade schools, and state higher education agencies for use in awarding and administering financial aid; and
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reuse their federal tax information on another FAFSA applicant's form (e.g., if a parent has multiple dependent students or for a parent's own FAFSA form as an aid applicant).
NOTE: Even if contributors don't have an SSN, didn't file taxes, or filed taxes outside of the U.S., they will still need to provide consent and approval.
IMPORTANT: If a required contributor doesn't provide consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred into the FAFSA form, you (the student) will not be eligible for federal student aid—even if the contributor manually enters tax information into the FAFSA form.
To ensure the information is secure, the federal tax information won't display on the FAFSA site or the FAFSA Submission Summary.
8. Sign and submit your FAFSA form.
After you complete your required section of the FAFSA form online, you’ll acknowledge the terms and conditions of the form and electronically sign your section. You can then submit your section of the FAFSA form. However, your FAFSA form won’t be considered complete until all required contributors provide their information on the FAFSA form, give their consent and approval to transfer federal tax information into the form, and provide their signatures.
After you and your parent (and/or any other required contributor) sign and submit the FAFSA form, the form will be considered complete and will be submitted for processing.
If you submit the FAFSA form, you’ll see a confirmation page that displays your completion date, data release number, and next steps. You’ll also see your estimated Student Aid Index (a number used by college and career/trade schools to determine your eligibility for federal student aid), estimated Federal Pell Grant eligibility, and information about other federal student aid for which you may be eligible. This confirmation page is emailed automatically to you for your records.
Note: The Student Aid Index on the confirmation page is only an estimate. The official Student Aid Index will appear on the FAFSA Submission Summary.
I am finished. What is next?
Congratulations on finishing your FAFSA! Once you’ve completed your FAFSA form, there are more steps you have to take before you receive financial aid. Make sure you know what happens after you submit your FAFSA form. Now monitor your status on MyVC and turn in any required paperwork ASAP! The VC Financial Aid Office wants to provide you the financial support you need to afford your education!