Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that collects the information needed to determine a student's eligibility for many types of financial aid including:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Subsidized/Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
• Federal Direct Loans
• Some state aid

There are three ways a FAFSA can be completed:

• An online FAFSA can be completed at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students and parents (if applicable) will each need a Department of Education PIN available at www.pin.ed.gov, to electronically sign the FAFSA.
• The college can electronically submit the FAFSA for the student.
• A paper FAFSA can be submitted via mail.

When completing the FAFSA, it's a good idea to have the following on hand:

• Department of Education PIN for student and parent (for electronic completion)
  
• Social Security Number
• Driver's license
• W-2 forms
• Federal Income Tax returns
• Other financial information (bank statement, mortgage information, records of other income and investments, etc.)

Students are required to complete a new FAFSA each year that they wish to be considered for federal financial aid. However, after the first year they may complete the shorter Renewal FAFSA, which may be submitted on paper or electronically.

The EAC Financial Aid Services (FAS) Team is dedicated to helping students and parents complete the FAFSA. The FAS Team can be reached at 1-800-874-9033 or FAS@eac-easci.org.

Keep in mind that students and parents
do not have to pay for financial aid information
and applying for federal student aid
is free of charge.