Learn How to Complete Your FAFSA

What Is the FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free form you complete to determine your eligibility for financial aid. You must fill out and complete the form each year in order to receive financial aid.

By filling out the FAFSA, you are applying for several different types of federal, state and/or university financial aid, all with the submission of one form. The University of Idaho relies on the information you provide on the FAFSA to help you pay for tuition.

How to Apply for the FAFSA

To simplify the process of filling out your FAFSA, we’ve outlined four steps below.

Step 1: Create Your FSA ID

• Your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID is needed to electronically sign the FAFSA and submit it. It is a legal signature tied to your Social Security number.
• If you are a dependent student, one of your parents must create their own FSA ID and sign your FAFSA. Two unique FSA IDs are necessary to complete the FAFSA form online.
• Note that you only need to create your FSA ID once. If you've forgotten your FSA ID, do not create another account. Instead, use “Forgot My Username/Forgot My Password.”

Step 2: Fill Out the FAFSA at FAFSA.gov

• The FAFSA online application takes less than one hour to complete for new students and less than 30 minutes for returning students. Fill out the form by taking your time and reading the directions for each question. Click on the “?” next to each question to get further details about a question.
• As you fill out your FAFSA, you must enter a “Federal School Code.” University of Idaho’s Federal School Code is 001626.
• Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to transfer your tax information from the IRS directly to the FAFSA. This is the easiest way to save time and ensure your FAFSA has the most accurate tax information and data.

Check to see if you’re eligible to use the IRS DRT or learn how to use the IRS DRT.

Step 3: Sign With Your FSA ID and Submit the FAFSA

• Use your FSA ID to electronically sign the FAFSA application. If you are a dependent student, both you and your parents must sign the FAFSA with an FSA ID. Failure to sign the FAFSA with both FSA IDs from you and your parent (two unique FSA IDs) is the #1 reason a submitted FAFSA does not get processed by your school. A submitted FAFSA that is missing an FSA ID prevents you from receiving any financial aid.
• Upon the successful signature and submission of your FAFSA, you receive an email in three to five days with your Student Aid Report (SAR), which is a summary of the information you submitted on your FAFSA.

Step 4: Verify Information on Your Student Aid Report (SAR)

• Once you receive your SAR, review all information for accuracy to avoid future delays.
• If any of the information is inaccurate in your SAR, please log in to the FAFSA with your FSA ID, make corrections and submit again. You must also sign any FAFSA correction with your FSA ID. If you've changed any parent data, your parent must also sign (this applies only to dependent students). For corrections you are not permitted to change, contact Student Financial Aid Services at 208-885-6312. Keep all submitted information for your records.
• Following the successful submission of your FAFSA, the Student Financial Aid Services Office notifies you via your Vandal email account to give you your next steps in the financial aid process. It is important to check all folders of your email regularly, as it is the primary way we communicate with you.

Need Help Filling Out the FAFSA?

If you’re stuck and don't know where to start with the FAFSA, or if you’d like someone to walk you through the process step-by-step, Student Financial Aid Services is here to provide you with personalized one-on-one help.

Office Hours

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time
Monday-Friday

Email

FAFSAhelp@uidaho.edu

NOTE: If you are a current or admitted student, please include your Vandal Number in your email.

Phone

208-885-6312, toll-free 888-884-3246