What is the FAFSA and why is it important?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is a form that students in the United States can fill out annually to apply for financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college or career school. The information provided on the FAFSA is used by the federal government, states, and colleges to determine a student's eligibility for grants, scholarships, workstudy programs, and loans.

FAFSA is an important tool for students who need financial assistance to attend college or career school. It is used to determine the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) which is used to calculate the amount of financial aid the student is eligible for. The FAFSA is also used by some states and colleges to determine eligibility for their financial aid programs. In general, it is recommended that all students complete the FAFSA, even if they don't think they will qualify for needbased financial aid.