# What is the FAFSA?

> The FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the free US government form students fill out at StudentAid.gov to apply for federal grants, work-study and student loans. States, schools and some private programs also use it to decide their own aid.

Page: https://textdash.com/glossary/fafsa
Updated: 2026-10-31

## How does the FAFSA work?

1. **Make a StudentAid.gov account.** You, and a parent if you're a dependent student, each need one to fill out and sign the form.
2. **File it each year.** The form opens in the fall for the next school year. You list up to 20 schools to receive your information.
3. **Get your aid offers.** Your schools use the results to build financial aid offers, which can include Pell Grants, work-study and federal loans.

## Why the FAFSA deadline matters

The federal deadline is June 30 at the end of the school year it covers, but state and school deadlines are often much earlier, and some state aid runs out. Check your state's and your school's dates at StudentAid.gov and with your financial aid office.

Tell Dash those dates and it texts you before each one.

## Questions

### Is the FAFSA free?

Yes. It's free at StudentAid.gov. Be wary of any site that charges to file it.

### Do I need to fill out the FAFSA every year?

Yes. You submit a new FAFSA for each school year you want aid.

### Is the FAFSA only for US students?

It's for US citizens and eligible noncitizens attending eligible schools. Students in Canada apply through their province's aid program, such as OSAP in Ontario.

## Related

- [Financial aid](https://textdash.com/glossary/financial-aid)
- [OSAP](https://textdash.com/glossary/osap)
- [Add/drop deadline](https://textdash.com/glossary/add-drop-deadline)
- [Withdrawal deadline (W grade)](https://textdash.com/glossary/withdrawal-deadline)
- [Syllabus](https://textdash.com/glossary/what-is-a-syllabus)
- [Office hours](https://textdash.com/glossary/office-hours)

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**About Dash.** Dash is an AI sidekick for college and university students that you text over iMessage or SMS. It tracks every deadline and texts you before each one, answers questions about your campus, helps you study, and, with your yes, orders food, books things, makes phone calls and handles admin. Free to start. iMessage on iPhone and SMS on any phone. No app, no login. For students at colleges and universities in Canada and the United States. Dash never writes, answers or submits graded work. It explains, quizzes and plans. Dash is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any college or university.

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