Filing the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form allows students to request federal grants, work-study, and loans, all in one application. Additionally, many state, institutional, and other aid providers rely on FAFSA results to determine student eligibility. Despite what you may think, filing the FAFSA is always worth your time!

The FAFSA can be completed online and the new 2024-2025 FAFSA will be available December 2023. Due to recent FAFSA Simplification changes implemented by the U.S. Department of Education, a final release date is not yet available. However, once this information is released we will publish it to our website.

While students can complete the FAFSA at any time, we strongly encourage all students to submit the FAFSA by February 1. This February 1 priority deadline ensures that students maximize their financial aid eligibility every single year.

To get started, students will need to create or have access to a previously created FSA ID and password. Applicants will also want to collect any documents that may be needed to complete the form.

Remember, you need to include Missouri State University’s federal school code on your FAFSA for your results to be sent to our institution. Our federal school code is 002503.

Complete the FAFSA Now!

Click here to complete your FAFSA. Use Federal School Code 002503

Your FSA ID is a username and password combination that allows you to sign your FAFSA form electronically. Your FSA ID is also be used to access the myStudentAid app, sign loan contracts, and access certain information online.

While you can get your FSA ID as you’re completing the FAFSA form online, getting it ahead of time and using it to fill out the FAFSA form on fafsa.gov or on the myStudentAid mobile app cuts down on errors and delays. Find out how to get an FSA ID and what to do if you forgot your FSA ID.

Important note: If you’re a dependent student, one of your parents whose information is reported on the FAFSA form will also need an FSA ID so that he or she can sign your application electronically. If your parent doesn’t have a Social Security number (SSN), your parent won’t be able to create an FSA ID (which requires an SSN). This means you’ll have to select the option to print a signature page when you get to the end of your FAFSA form on fafsa.gov (this option isn’t available in the myStudentAid app).

An FSA ID can be created online at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.

If you forgot your FSA ID username, you can retrieve it at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/retrieve-username.

If you forgot your FSA ID password, you can reset it at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/account-lookup.
The FAFSA questions ask for information about you (your name, date of birth, address, etc.) and about your financial situation. Depending on your circumstances (for instance, whether you’re a U.S. citizen or what tax form you used), you might need the following information or documents as you fill out the FAFSA application:
- Your Social Security number (it’s important that you enter it correctly on the FAFSA form!)
- Your parents’ Social Security numbers if you are a dependent student
- Your driver’s license number if you have one
- Your Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen
- Federal tax information or tax returns including IRS W-2 information, for you (and your spouse, if you are married), and for your parents if you are a dependent student:
- IRS 1040
- Foreign tax return or IRS 1040NR
- Tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau
- Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits, for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student
- Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate (but not including the home in which you live); and business and farm assets for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student
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.

Reporting Parents’ Information

If you’re a dependent student, you’ll need to report parent information on your FAFSA form. Who Is My "Parent" When I Fill Out the FAFSA® Form? fact sheet—Helps dependent students determine which parent's information to include in the FAFSA form.
Military students file FAFSAs too! Some military and veteran students miss out on as much as $9,035 in free money because they don’t file a FAFSA. There is a mistaken belief that students receiving military educational benefits cannot apply for financial aid through the FAFSA. This is not true. FAFSA educational benefits are available in addition to what is offered via GI Bill benefits.
- Can I Receive both Financial Aid and Veterans Benefits?
  - Yes! You can receive both VA educational benefits and financial aid by filling out the FAFSA. You may be eligible for federal, state and/or institutional loans and scholarships in addition to your VA educational benefits. Veteran students are considered independent students per FAFSA guidelines, and you do not need to report your parent financial data.
- Can my VA Benefits Affect my Financial Aid?
  - Yes. In some cases, your financial aid can be affected by your VA educational benefits. Each award is different, so the VA benefit may affect each person’s award differently. But by filling out the FAFSA, you will maximize your funding for school and in most cases receive substantially more funding.
- Do I have to Report my Veterans Education Benefits on the FAFSA?
  - No. You do not have to report VA education benefits on the FAFSA. However, you do need to report non-education VA benefits on the FAFSA. Non-education benefits include: disability, death pension, dependency indemnity compensation and/or VA Work-Study allowances.
- Where do I complete the FAFSA?
  - You can complete the FAFSA online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Alternatively, students can also complete the FAFSA form through the myStudentAid app. This app is available for download in the Google Play store for Android users and through Apple’s App Store for iOS.
- Who can I Contact About Financial Aid and VA Benefits?
  - For general questions and information about the FAFSA and financial aid, please stop by or contact the Office of Financial Aid. For questions about VA benefits and/or how your VA benefits will affect your financial aid award, contact the Veteran Student Center.