A step-by-step guide to completing the 2025-26 FAFSA® questions

Need FAFSA® help? Our guide walks you through the FAFSA® to help you complete every section correctly—so you can score the MOST financial aid you can for college!

FAFSA hero

Why the FAFSA® is important (Like really,
really important)

Filing the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is your key to getting all kinds of financial aid for school—we’re talking federal, state, and school aid. If you want to qualify for the most free money you can, and pay less out of your own pocket for school, you need to file the FAFSA®. Nearly everyone who submits the FAFSA® qualifies for some aid.

Accuracy matters — and we can help with that

If you make mistakes on the FAFSA®, it may hold up or reduce your financial aid for college. Or you might have to start over, and that’s extra stress you don’t need. That’s why we created this guide to help you power through the trickiest questions.

What the FAFSA® is used for

The schools where you get accepted will look at info from your FAFSA® and use it to put together your financial aid package for one year. Your package may include college grants, work-study, federal student loans, and even state and school financial aid.

Your financial aid package can help you 
cover college costs:

  • Tuition
  • Fees
  • Housing and meals
  • Books
  • A laptop and other tech you may need for school
  • Transportation to and from school

Why you should file the FAFSA® as early as possible

Some financial aid is awarded first-come, first-served. That means the earlier you file, the more free money you could get for college. The 2025-26 FAFSA® will open on or before December 1, so be sure to submit your application as close to that date as possible! 

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How to answer the 2025-26 FAFSA® questions

Completing the FAFSA® can seem overwhelming, especially for newbies. That’s why we’ve broken down the 2025-26 FAFSA® to help you understand why each question is asked, and how to answer each one accurately.

Need expert help with a question?

Call FAFSA® support at 800-433-3243 (800-730-8913 TDD). You may also want to talk to a financial or legal professional.

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FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.