Paying for college can feel complicated. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA, is one of the most important steps students can take to see what financial aid may be available to them.
The good news: You don't have to figure it out alone.
С»ÆƬÊÓƵ's Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center is available to help students and families navigate the financial aid process, from completing the FAFSA to understanding financial aid offers.
Here's a simple guide to getting started.
First: Know Which FAFSA You Need
You complete a new FAFSA every year you want to receive federal student aid.
For students planning to attend С»ÆƬÊÓƵ during summer 2027, fall 2027 or spring 2028, the 2027–28 FAFSA opens Oct. 1, 2026. It uses 2025 income and tax information.
For students attending during summer 2026, fall 2026 or spring 2027, the 2026–27 FAFSA is the correct form and is already available. It uses 2024 income and tax information.
Quick rule: Choose the FAFSA that matches the academic year you will be attending school.
See С»ÆƬÊÓƵ's FAFSA information and deadlines
Step 1: Create Your StudentAid.gov Account
Before your student starts the FAFSA, the student needs their own StudentAid.gov account.
If a parent or another person needs to contribute information to the FAFSA, that person needs their own separate StudentAid.gov account, too. Don't share accounts.
Parents: You don't automatically need an account just because you're a parent.
The FAFSA will determine whether a parent needs to be a contributor. For dependent students, a parent generally will need to provide information on the FAFSA.
If you're unsure which parent needs to participate — particularly if parents are divorced or separated — the federal government's Who's My FAFSA Parent? tool can help.
Step 2: Gather What You'll Need
Don't worry about having a giant folder of paperwork before you start. Much of the FAFSA's tax information can be transferred electronically from the IRS.
Still, it helps to have these things handy:
- Your StudentAid.gov account information
- Information for any FAFSA contributors
- The appropriate year's federal tax information
- Information about child support received, if applicable
- Current balances in checking, savings and cash accounts
- Information about investments and certain businesses or farms
- The names of the colleges you want to receive your FAFSA information
Important: Everyone who is required to participate in the FAFSA must provide consent and approval for their federal tax information to be transferred from the IRS — even if they didn't file a federal tax return. Without that consent, the student isn't eligible for federal student aid.
Step 3: Start the FAFSA — and Let the Student Go First
Go to the official FAFSA website:
The student should start their own FAFSA and complete their required sections first. If a parent or other contributor is required, the student will invite that person to participate.
The contributor then logs in with their own StudentAid.gov account and completes their portion.
One important thing to remember: Being a FAFSA contributor does not mean a parent is agreeing to pay for the student's education.
Step 4: Add С»ÆƬÊÓƵ
When the FAFSA asks which schools should receive your information, add С»ÆƬÊÓƵ.
For the Kent Campus, use FAFSA school code:
003051
С»ÆƬÊÓƵ has separate FAFSA codes for its Regional Campuses. If you're attending a Regional Campus, check С»ÆƬÊÓƵ's FAFSA page for the correct code.
See all С»ÆƬÊÓƵ FAFSA school codes
Step 5: Submit — and Don't Stop There
Once everyone who needs to participate has completed their sections, provided consent and approval and signed the FAFSA, submit it.
Then keep an eye on your email and StudentAid.gov account for updates.
The federal government will provide a FAFSA Submission Summary, which contains information from your FAFSA, including your official Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is used by schools to help determine a student's eligibility for federal student aid.
С»ÆƬÊÓƵ will use the FAFSA information it receives as part of determining a student's financial aid eligibility.
What Happens After С»ÆƬÊÓƵ Receives Your FAFSA?
This is where many students wonder: "OK, now what?"
After С»ÆƬÊÓƵ receives your FAFSA and financial aid has been determined, you will receive information about your financial aid offer.
Your offer may include different types of assistance, including:
- Scholarships — money that generally does not have to be repaid.
- Grants — financial aid that generally does not have to be repaid.
- Federal Work-Study — an opportunity to earn money through eligible employment.
- Loans — money that must be repaid, generally with interest.
С»ÆƬÊÓƵ offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid programs, and eligibility varies by student and program.
Learn about types of financial aid at С»ÆƬÊÓƵ
A Financial Aid Offer Is Not the Same as "Free Money"
When you receive a financial aid offer, look closely at what you're being offered.
Scholarships and grants generally don't have to be repaid. Work-study allows you to earn money through employment. Loans, however, must be repaid.
С»ÆƬÊÓƵ recommends that students carefully review their financial aid offers and complete any required next steps.
See С»ÆƬÊÓƵ's financial aid next steps
If you Accept a Federal Student Loan
First-time federal loan borrowers have additional requirements. At С»ÆƬÊÓƵ, students accepting a federal loan for the first time must complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note before receiving the loan.
Before borrowing, make sure you understand how much you're borrowing, what your payments could look like after graduation and the terms of the loan.
Don't Forget Scholarships
The FAFSA is only one piece of paying for college.
Students should also look for scholarships through С»ÆƬÊÓƵ and other organizations. С»ÆƬÊÓƵ's Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center provides scholarship information and resources for students.
Tip: Check scholarship deadlines carefully. Some scholarships require separate applications.
The Three Things to Remember
If the FAFSA feels overwhelming, start here:
1. Create your StudentAid.gov account.
You and each required contributor need your own account.
2. Complete the FAFSA every year.
Choose the FAFSA that matches the academic year you're attending school.
3. Don't wait until the last minute.
С»ÆƬÊÓƵ has priority filing dates because some financial aid funds can be limited. Filing by the university's priority deadline gives students the best opportunity to be considered for available aid, although filing by a priority date does not guarantee that a student will receive a particular type of aid.
Need Help? С»ÆƬÊÓƵ Can Help.
You don't have to navigate the FAFSA by yourself.
С»ÆƬÊÓƵ's Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center provides resources and assistance with financial aid, scholarships, billing, payments and financial wellness.
Kent Campus students can also get hands-on FAFSA assistance through FAFSA in a Flash. Walk-in assistance is available at the FBE Welcome Desk in Room 207 on the second floor of University Library during normal business hours, with no appointment required.
Visit С»ÆƬÊÓƵ's Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center
Visit С»ÆƬÊÓƵ's FAFSA resources
Bottom line: The FAFSA may look intimidating, but it is essentially a yearly application that helps determine what financial aid you may qualify for. Start early, make sure the right people complete their sections and ask for help when you need it.
