FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid

What is a Federal Pell Grant?

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund). Pell Grants are usually a foundation of financial aid, to which other sources may be added. You may only receive one Pell Grant in an award year, and you may not receive PELL Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

What is FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in applying for federal student aid. It is the document that the federal government uses to determine how much money you are eligible to receive. Note: Washington County Career Center does not process student loans.

How do you complete the FAFSA?

1. Go online to www.studentaid.gov.

2. The student and their contributor(s) must first create an FSA ID and Password prior to starting the FAFSA, if you do not already have one. This approval can take a few days to be processed and confirmed prior to starting the completion of the FAFSA. You will click on Create Account then Get Started. Follow the steps to create your unique ID and Password. Write these down and secure them in a safe location for future use.

3. After your FSA ID and password have been confirmed you will log back into www.studentaid.gov and click on Start New Form.

4. Depending on the students’ responses they may be required to list contributors. These are a parent, parents or a spouse who must accept the email invitation and complete their section of the FAFSA for the student to be considered for any type of federal financial aid. This does not associate any payment responsibility with the contributor for the student’s education payments.

5. You can add up to 20 schools for your FAFSA results to be sent to. *Remember to include Washington County Career Center 030342. *

Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID with any FAFSA questions.