In order to be eligible for federal financial aid, successful submission of the FAFSA is required.  If you plan to enroll in college for the Fall 2025 semester, you are able to submit the 2025-26 FAFSA now.  

To submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA, please visit:  https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Each individual who contributes information on the FAFSA will need their own Federal Student Aid Identifier (FSA ID) in order to access the FAFSA. If you're a dependent student, that means that both you and at least one parent will each need your own FSA ID.

If someone submitting information on the FAFSA does not have an FSA ID, that individual will need to first create an account on the StudentAid.gov website. This includes establishing an FSA ID, which creates a unique username and password. Click here to learn more about how to create your FSA ID.

If you don’t know or have forgotten your FSA ID, click here to regain access to your FSA ID.

You'll have to enter your Social Security number (unless you're a citizen of the Freely Associated States) to create your StudentAid.gov account. Parents don't necessarily need to have a Social Security Number (SSN), but they must enter their SSN if they have one. If someone does not have an SSN, they can still obtain an FSA ID; see How to Get an FSA ID for Individuals Without a Social Security Number  (Spanish version). If you are still unable to obtain an FSA ID or submit the FAFSA online, please see guidance here.

Dependent students must fill out the FAFSA as well as at least one parent (also called a contributor of information on the FAFSA). There are a number of questions you can ask yourself to determine your dependency status, such as: 

• Are you 24 or older? 
• Are you pursuing a master's or doctoral degree? 
• Are you a veteran or currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces? 
• Were you an orphan, ward of the state or in foster care before the age of 13? 
• Are you married? 

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you could be considered an independent student (meaning you do not need to have a parent contribute to the FAFSA). If your answer is no, you are a dependent student and are required to provide contributor information. 

Dependent students must fill out the FAFSA with the help of at least one contributor. If your contributors are married and filed taxes jointly, only one contributor needs to contribute to the form (although they need to report information for both parents). If your parents are married and filed taxes separately, then both will need to contribute to the FAFSA. 

Note that students and contributors fill out separate sections of the FAFSA. Please exercise caution and diligence to ensure you are working on the right section to avoid errors. The FSA website suggests having the student complete and save their section first before contributors begin completing their section.

Having all your important documents organized ahead of time can help make for a smoother FAFSA application. The FAFSA will ask for your and your contributor's contact details, as well as details about your finances. Among the information you may need: 

• Official 2023 tax return that was submitted to the IRS
• Current balances of any bank accounts 
• Net worth of investments, businesses and farms 
• Child support records 

As part of completing the FAFSA, you and your contributor(s) must consent to transferring federal tax information directly into the form using the Financial Aid Direct Data Exchange. Refusing this automatic transfer will disqualify you from receiving federal student aid, even if a contributor enters tax information into the form manually. 

To learn more about what it means to provide this consent and approval on the FAFSA form, click here.

The new FAFSA asks significantly fewer questions than forms in previous years. While the form is shorter, it is important to answer all questions accurately and completely.  The student aid website says it should take less than an hour to complete, but set aside extra time to make sure you understand each question and provide accurate answers.  

Before you hit submit, review everything to ensure all your answers are accurate and complete. Errors could result in delays, which could impact your financial aid awards. Be sure to list the University of Utah (federal school code 003675) so that your information is sent to us.

After you submit the FAFSA, you will receive your Student Aid Report, which will summarize your FAFSA details and estimate your eligibility for financial aid.