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Students
The FAFSA is your first step in financial aid
If you are planning to attend college, the FAFSA is the key to financial aid. Whether you are a new student or returning student, attending a trade school or four year university, the FAFSA is for you.
Reminder – the FAFSA is for US Citizens and permanent residents. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, you should not complete the FAFSA. Contact the financial aid office at your institution to see how you should apply for financial aid.
You will probably need at least one of your parents to contribute information to your FAFSA. If you aren’t sure which parent should provide information, check out this tool from Federal Student Aid.
If your parent does not have a Social Security Number, they can now contribute to your FAFSA. Check out these resources for mixed status families.
If you are attending college during the 2024-2025 school year, your FAFSA is open. If you are planning to start college fall 2025, your FAFSA will open December 1, 2024.
Step 1: Create a FSA ID
Before you can file the FAFSA, you need to create a Federal Student ID. Your FSA ID is the username and password you will use to access all Federal Student Aid websites, including StudentAid.gov, which is home to the FAFSA form. Before you can start your FAFSA, your FSA ID must be verified by the Social Security Administration, which can take a few days – so create your FSA ID early! Check out this guide from uAspire or this page from Federal Student Aid if you need help.
Step 2: Gather your information
Gather the following information before you begin – you will need it to complete the form.
Step 3: Complete the FAFSA
Both you and your parent(s) will need to contribute information to the FAFSA, so make sure they are completing it too! Each colleges has different priority deadlines. While it won’t make you ineligible if you miss a priority deadline, the funding in many programs is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so file as early as possible. Missouri’s priority deadline for need-based state aid is February 1, with a final deadline of April 1.
Click here to start your FAFSA
Check out these lists from Federal Student Aid and MOCAN for helpful tips and tricks if you are having trouble completing the FAFSA.
Step 4: Review your FAFSA application
Review your FAFSA for accuracy and make any corrections necessary before you hit submit. Confirm that your parent has completed their section. After the last contributor completes their section, your FAFSA will be complete. You should receive a confirmation e-mail that your FAFSA form has been received. If not, login and double check that it was submitted.
Step 5: After you file
The end result of your FAFSA is a report called the FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). The FSS tells you how much federal aid you can expect to receive and what you may be expected to pay towards your education. The FSS will also have your Student Aid Index (SAI).
You can make corrections to your FAFSA after it is processed.
If you notice an asterisk (*) next to the SAI on your FAFSA confirmation email or FAFSA Submission Summary, it means your FAFSA has been flagged for verification and your college may ask for additional documentation. Check your email and college communication portal for updates.
Remember: The FAFSA must be completed each year you are in school to qualify for financial aid.
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Links & Resources
Federal Student Aid
The FAFSA is a form of Federal Student Aid of the U.S. Department of Education. This site links to the FAFSA and provides the best information on how to complete it. Start here.
FAFSA Frenzy
Journey to College and the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development host free FAFSA completion events across the state. Find a FAFSA Frenzy event near you.
uAspire
National nonprofit organization uAspire has easy to follow checklists and tools for students with questions about the FAFSA and financial aid, including short videos on each step of the FAFSA process.
Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis provides free workshops and in-person clinics (by appointment only) to help students and families navigate the financial aid process. This will include FAFSA specific workshops this year.
Kansas City FAFSA Initiative
Looking for assistance in the Kansas City region? Through MOCAN, the Kansas City metro has access to a FAFSA Support Specialist to coordinate and support FAFSA completion efforts in-person and virtually.
Journey to College
Visit the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development’s Journey to College program website for FAFSA updates.
Get Schooled FAFSA Resources
Comprehensive resources available in English and Spanish. Includes information on setting up your FSA ID, completing the FAFSA, and what to do after filing the form.
My Scholarship Central
My Scholarship Central is a free platform connecting Missouri students to over 170 scholarships and interest-free loan programs. Complete a general application and the system will identify scholarships for which you are eligible. Students were awarded more than $15 million last year.
