More Help with FAFSA

Determine Which FAFSA to Fill Out

You will also need to determine which FAFSA to fill out depending on when you plan to start your enrollment.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form you fill out should correspond with the school year you’re planning to seek aid for:

If you need aid for July 1st, 2025 to June 30, 2026, you should fill out the 2025-26 FAFSA.

If you need aid for July 1^st, 2024 to June 30^th, 2025 you should fill out the 2024-25 FAFSA.

All applicants for federal student aid are classified as either dependent or independent.

• Dependent students report their information AND their parents’ information.
• Independent students report their own information (and, if they’re married, their spouse’s).

To determine if you are a dependent or independent student, please visit the FAFSA website.

Tip: If you’re a dependent student, it’s required that one of your parents whose details are recorded on the FAFSA form, obtain an FSA ID. This allows them to electronically sign your FAFSA application.

Need assistance with an existing FSA ID login issue? Please see guidance video for an existing FSA ID login issue.

If you or your parent doesn’t have a Social Security Number, you can find guidance on creating an FSA ID.

Gather the Required Documents

There are specific documents you’ll need to apply for financial aid, and it’s easier to complete the FAFSA form if you gather these ahead of time. Here are a few items to have handy:

• Your Social Security number (SSN). 
• Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen).
• Your driver’s license number. 
• Your federal income tax return.
  • This includes IRS W-2 information. 
  • You’ll also need your spouse’s federal income tax return if you are married or your parents’ return if you are a dependent student.
• Records of your untaxed income.  
  • This includes child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits provided to you, or to your parents if you’re a dependent student.
• Information on your cash, savings and checking account balances, investments, and business and farm assets for you and for your parents if you are a dependent student.

List Your Colleges  

You must list at least one college on your FAFSA. The schools you list will use your FAFSA information to determine the types and amounts of aid you receive.

WGU’s school code is:
033394

Provide Your Financial Information

The FAFSA form asks for financial information, including information from tax forms and balances of savings and checking accounts.

• The 2024-25 FAFSA form asks for 2022 tax information.
• The 2025-26 FAFSA Form asks for 2023 tax information

Tip: If your or your family’s financial situation has changed significantly from what’s reflected on your federal income tax return (for example, if you’ve lost a job), you may be eligible to have your financial aid adjusted. Federal regulations allow limited exceptions or adjustments to information reported on your FAFSA. These exceptions or adjustments are known as “Special Circumstances” or “Professional Judgment” and are considered case-by-case based on the supporting documentation you provide.

Sign and Submit Your FAFSA Form 

As you finish your FAFSA form, be sure to sign with your FSA ID so that your FAFSA will be processed as quickly as possible.

Tip: If you log in to the form by providing your FSA ID, you won’t be asked for it again when it’s time to sign. However, if you’re providing parent information, one of your parents will be required to sign your application.

Student Aid Report 

After you submit your FAFSA form, you’ll get a Student Aid Report (SAR), an electronic or paper document that summarizes the information you reported on your FAFSA form. It includes your Student Aid Index (SAI), your estimated eligibility for federal student loans and Federal Pell Grants, and whether you’ve been selected for verification. You'll get your SAR within three days to three weeks after you submit your FAFSA form.