The FAFSA is Now Open
Oct 02, 2025
As college application season kicks into high gear, there’s one form that every high school senior and their family should know about: the FAFSA.
Even if you think you won’t qualify for financial aid, keep reading — there are still good reasons to fill it out.
What is the FAFSA?
FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s a form that students in the U.S. fill out to determine their eligibility for financial aid for college, including:
- Federal grants (money you don’t have to pay back)
- Federal student loans
- Work-study opportunities
- State and school-based aid
The FAFSA opens each year on October 1st, and many colleges have priority deadlines, so the earlier you complete it, the better.
What Does "Need-Based Aid" Mean?
Need-based aid is financial assistance awarded based on a family’s ability to pay for college. The FAFSA calculates something called your Student Aid Index (SAI) to determine what kind of aid you might receive. If your SAI is low, you may qualify for federal grants like the Pell Grant or subsidized loans.
What If We Don’t Qualify for Need-Based Aid?
You should probably fill it out anyway. Here’s why:
- Some schools require the FAFSA for merit-based aid
Many colleges use the FAFSA not just for need-based aid, but also for scholarships based on academic achievement, leadership, or talents — even if your family’s income is too high to qualify for federal need-based grants.
- It opens the door to federal student loans
Even if you don’t need grants, federal student loans typically have better interest rates and repayment options than private loans. You must file the FAFSA to access them.
- It’s free and relatively quick
It usually takes less than an hour to complete and there’s no cost to apply.
- Life is unpredictable
A family’s financial situation can change quickly — job losses, medical expenses, or emergencies. Having a FAFSA on file makes it easier to appeal for aid later if something changes.
- Some states and scholarships require it
Certain state aid programs, like Cal Grants or NY TAP, require the FAFSA. Even some private scholarships ask for it to verify financial information.
Pro Tips for Filling Out the FAFSA
- Use the official site: https://studentaid.gov
- Have documents ready: Tax returns, W-2s, bank statements, and your Social Security number.
- Submit early: Some aid is first-come, first-served.
When in Doubt, Fill It Out
It’s called the Free Application for a reason — there’s no harm in submitting it, and potentially a lot to gain.
Filing the FAFSA keeps more doors open, gives you more financial flexibility, and ensures you're not leaving money on the table.
