Top Bar Menu
Breadcrumbs

Filing the 2025-2026 FAFSA

 


All students should file the FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens the door to many types and sources of financial aid, including funds that don’t have to be repaid. All schools use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid, and many schools use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for their institutional financial aid. The FAFSA must be completed for each school year. 

Get Ready to File the 2025-2026 FAFSA

The 2025-2026 FAFSA will become available on or before December 1, 2024. Check with your financial aid office to determine when IECC's priority deadline filing date is.  Meeting priority deadlines is the best way to maximize your financial aid eligibility. You must file a FAFSA every year to be considered for financial aid.

Get an FSA ID

Before you can file the FAFSA, you will need to create a Federal Student Aid Account. When you create your account, you’ll set up an FSA ID. Your FSA ID is the username and password you will use to access all Federal Student Aid websites, including StudentAid.gov. Your FSA ID must be created and matched by the Social Security Administration before you can file your FAFSA, so create your FSA ID early!

Tips for Creating an FSA ID

  • Be sure to enter your information accurately. The Social Security Administration will verify your information, and making a mistake, especially with your social security number, birth date, or name, will cause delays.
  • If you are a dependent student, parent information will be required on the FAFSA. Your parent(s) — referred to on the FAFSA as “contributor(s)” — will also need their own FSA ID to access and sign their section of the FAFSA.
  • You will use your FSA ID for multiple purposes over the coming years, so be sure you can remember all of the important information associated with your FSA ID. Download and print FAME’s Students: Create Your Federal Student Aid Account (FSA ID) worksheet to keep track of your FSA ID information. Parents should download and print FAME’s Parents: Create Your Federal Student Aid Account (FSA ID) worksheet. Keep these sheets in a secure location — for example, where you keep tax return information.
  • Keep in mind that an email address and mobile phone number can only be associated with one FSA ID. Students and parents cannot use the same email address or the same mobile phone number.
  • If you have an email address other than your high school email address, use that one to set up your FSA ID. Your high school email address may expire after you graduate. You will need to use your FSA ID for years to come, so link it to an email address that you will continue to use.
  • Make sure you have access to your email or mobile phone when creating your FSA ID and filing the FAFSA. To create an FSA ID and to file the FAFSA, you must have access to either your mobile phone or email (ideally both) so that you can receive a secure code that will need to be entered into the website. Once verified, your mobile phone and/or email can be used to retrieve your username, reset your password, or unlock your account. A verified mobile phone number or email address can also be used in place of your username.
  • You must set up two-factor verification. To protect your account, you will be required to set up two-factor verification. This will result in a secure code being sent to your verified mobile phone, verified email, or to an authenticator app (if you set it up) each time you log into any of the StudentAid.gov websites. This code must be entered to access the website. If none of these options exist, the backup code that was provided when the account was created can be used, but you will also need to answer two challenge questions.

Gather Your Information for the 2025-2026 FAFSA

You will need to gather some information before you begin filling out the FAFSA. For the 2025–2026 school year, you will need your 2023 income information.

If you are a DEPENDENT STUDENT, you will need the following info for you and your parent(s):

  • FSA ID
  • Social Security number (SSN), legal name, date of birth, and email address
  • 2023 federal income tax returns (including all applicable schedules)
  • Current bank statements

If you aren’t a U.S. citizen, you’ll also need:

  • Your U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Form I-151 or I-551C) or Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) with an eligible status

If applicable, you will also need:

  • Current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, and stock, bond, and other investment records

If you are NOT A DEPENDENT STUDENT, you will need:

  • Your FSA ID. To create one, go to StudentAid.gov and click on “Create Account.” If you are married but you and your spouse file separate tax returns,  your spouse will also need an FSA ID.
  • Your social security number (SSN)
  • Your (and if married, your spouse’s) 2023 federal income tax return (including all applicable schedules), 2023 W-2 forms, and other records of money earned
  • Your current bank statements

If applicable, you will also need:

  • Current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, and stock, bond, and other investment records
  • Your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-151 or I-551C) or Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) with an eligible status (if you are an eligible non-U.S. citizen) You can also download and print FAME’s Get Ready to File the 2024-2025 FAFSA checklist for a list of all the information you will need to gather in order to complete the FAFSA.

Filling Out the 2025-2026 FAFSA

The FAFSA is now quicker and easier to file! If necessary, you can start your FAFSA, save it, and finish it later. 

  • The 2025–2026 FAFSA requires 2023 income information.
  • The FAFSA is a roles-based form; when you log into your section, you will only see student questions. If parent information is required, your parent (referred to as a “contributor”) will only see parent questions when they log into their section. Everyone logging into the FAFSA will need their own FSA ID to access their section of the FAFSA.
  • Either you or your parent can start the FAFSA. Whoever starts the FAFSA will be required to “invite” the other person to complete the FAFSA. The individual who starts the FAFSA must provide the other person’s legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and email address in order to invite them.
  • You (and your parent(s) if you are a dependent student) will be required to provide consent and approval to allow federal tax information to be sent from the IRS to Federal Student Aid. Consent and approval are required even for individuals who are not required to file taxes. If consent and approval are not provided by all required individuals, you will not be eligible for any federal student aid.
  • The schools you list on your FAFSA will receive your FAFSA information electronically. You can list up to 20 colleges on the FAFSA. Be sure to use IECC's Federal School Code, 001742. (It's the same code for all 4 campuses.)
  • FAFSA tips are available at https://www.nasfaa.org/fafsa_tips

File the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov

In addition to the FAFSA, complete any additional financial aid applications (e.g., the CSS Profile) that may be required by your school. Check with your school(s) to see what forms are needed.