FAFSA & Federal Aid

Wall calendar with red pins marking dates and the 30th circled

FAFSA Deadlines: Federal, State and College

The FAFSA has three deadlines, not one. Why the state and college dates matter more than the federal one.

Smiling college student studying with books and a laptop in a library

Pell Grant Eligibility and Award Amounts

Who qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant, the current maximum award, and the lifetime limit that catches students by surprise.

Parent and teenage daughter going over paperwork together at a table

Student Aid Index (SAI): What Your Number Means

How the SAI replaced the EFC, why it can be negative, and how colleges use it to build your aid package.

Student typing on a laptop at a table with a mug beside her

How to Fill Out the FAFSA, Step by Step

Every section of the FAFSA in order: the StudentAid.gov account, contributors, consent, and what to do after you submit.

We use cookies to run this site, measure how it’s used, and show ads. Choose “Essentials only” to limit cookies to what the site needs to work. Privacy Policy.