Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The U.S. Department of Education uses the FAFSA to determine how much students and their families are expected to contribute towards college expenses. Additionally, colleges use the FAFSA to determine how much aid students qualify for and what they can award students.
The FAFSA is considered to be a “snapshot” of a family’s financial situation as of the date that an application is submitted. Students must submit the FAFSA for each year they attend college, starting on October 1. There is no fee to submit the FAFSA.
Prepare to Submit the FAFSA
You and your student will need to gather income records and financial documents prior to filling out the FAFSA. To organize your information prior to filling out an application, download the FAFSA worksheet.
Get Help Filling Out the FAFSA
You and your student can get help from a FAFSA expert at a financial aid workshop at your student's school. Bring the completed FAFSA worksheet so you can ask specific questions relating to your application. Ask your student's counselor for FAFSA workshop dates and times.
Free Financial Aid and FAFSA Completion Workshops in English or Spanish are offered across Illinois through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the financial aid agency in the State of Illinois.
Find a financial aid event near you
Different Ways to Submit the FAFSA
- Apply online at FAFSA.gov
- By mail: complete a 2022–23 FAFSA PDF (for students who will enroll in college during the 2022-2023 academic year), or request a print-out of the FAFSA PDF by calling at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 334-523-2691 (TTY for the deaf or hard of hearing (1-800-730-8913). Fill out the form and mail it to: Federal Student Aid Programs, P.O. Box 7650, London, KY 40742-7650.
Illinois RISE Act
Under the Illinois RISE (Retaining Illinois Students and Equity) Act, noncitizen students and transgender students who were previously ineligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA) may apply for state assistance by completing the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. This application is managed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and will determine a student’s aid eligibility based on status and financial need.
CSS Profile
Some colleges, universities, and scholarship programs may require applicants and their families seeking financial aid to complete the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. The CSS Profile requires payment of a fee but fee waivers are available. This application collects information used by nearly 400 colleges and scholarship programs to award non-government financial aid such as grants and scholarships.
The CSS Profile requires more detailed financial information than the FAFSA. View the current list of institutions that require the CSS Profile.
Related Links
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Conduct comprehensive college and career planning using this online platform for students in grades 6-12.
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Find information about student aid at a federal level.
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A username and password that gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Only create an FSA ID using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use.
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Federal Student Aid publications, fact sheets, online tools, and resources to help families prepare and pay for college or career school. Resources are grouped by topics.
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Illinois Student Assistance Commission
State grants, scholarships, and resources.
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The online scholarship application system for students at Chicago Public Schools.
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Alternate Application for Illinois Financial Aid
For qualifying undocumented and transgender students. Effective January 2020, the Illinois RISE Act permits state aid to be awarded to persons who are not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but not limited to transgender students and noncitizen students who have not obtained lawful US permanent residence.
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Acronyms and definitions of financial aid terms.
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Definitions of terms related to college and financial aid.
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Handbook of Illinois Postsecondary Institutions
General admission and financial aid information about Illinois postsecondary institutions produced by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Check with each institution for exact costs.