How to Apply for Financial Aid Through the FAFSA

Step 1: Get an FSA ID for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

  • If you already have an FSA ID, skip this step.
  • If you have forgotten your FSA ID, you can go to www.fsaid.ed.gov and click “Edit My FSA ID” followed by “Forgot My Username/Password”.
  • Follow the instructions at fsaid.ed.gov to for help creating the FSA ID.
  • Important: If you are required to use parent information, one of your parents will also need to apply for an FSA ID.

Step 2: In order to complete the FAFSA, you will need:

  • Your FSA ID
  • Your taxes from two years prior to the academic year you are applying for
  • Your social security number
  • SUU school’s code: 003678

If you are a dependent student for financial aid purposes (usually those under 24, unmarried, with no dependents of their own) you will also need:

  • Your parents’ FSA ID
  • Your parents’ social security numbers
  • Your parents’ taxes from 2 years ago

Step 3: Filling out the FAFSA

  • Go to www.fafsa.gov
  • Click the green button that says “Start a New FAFSA”.
  • Log in with your FAFSA ID.
  • Fill out all the required information.
  • We also recommend that you upload your tax information directly from the IRS using the “Data Retrieval Tool”. This option should be available to you within a few weeks of filing your taxes.
  • Sometimes, however, the IRS Data Retrieval Tool doesn’t always upload all your information. So keep you taxes close by!
  • At the end of your FAFSA, if you are a dependent student, you will need your parents to sign. Have them log in with their FSA ID and sign electronically.
  • At the end of your FAFSA, be sure to click on “Submit My FAFSA” to process your application.
  • Print the confirmation page for your records and make sure you mark the confirmation email as ‘starred’ or ‘important’ so you can find it easily later.

The FAFSA application can be a very complex process. If you are an incoming student and need assistance completing the FAFSA application, please contact Jayson Matlock at jaysonmatlock@suu.edu.