FAFSA Help & Resources

Let’s make this easy.

The Department of Education has announced that the intended release date for the 2025-2026 FAFSA of October 1st is being changed. The 2025-2026 FAFSA will now be released by December 1, 2024. A limited number of student volunteers will be given access to the FAFSA on October 1 for a testing process.

FREE FAFSA HELPLINE (PA RESIDENTS)

     The PA Department of Education is excited to announce a new statewide PA
FAFSA helpline – 313 PA FAFSA (313-723-2372) – which is available for free to PA
students and their parents to help complete the 2024/2025 FAFSA.

     PA students and parents can text 313 PA FAFSA (313-723-2372) any time to get
connected to a live FAFSA expert at uAspire (a national nonprofit that specializes in
student financial aid advising), ask questions, or set up personal advising sessions for
free – as many times as needed to complete their application. IF texting late
night or over the weekend, PA residents will get responses within 24 business
hours to help them complete their FAFSA.

     This free, text-enabled 313 PA FAFSA helpline is available for PA students and
their contributors all summer long with on call expert support for PA students’
FAFSA completion.

FAFSA Corrections

You can correct or update your FAFSA if needed. Once corrections are submitted, Allegheny will receive it in 1 to 3 days. Watch for an email confirming receipt.

What is it used for?

The FAFSA serves as the official financial aid application for all federal, state and institutional need-based programs.

The FAFSA is used to determine your “Student Aid Index” (SAI). Your SAI will be used to determine the amount of need-based aid you are eligible for, including Allegheny grants, as well as federal loans and federal work study.

Students can submit the FAFSA to more than one college/university at a time, and your information will be saved from year to year.

Who should complete it?

All families should consider completing the FAFSA. Regardless of your expectations, knowing your eligibility is an important step in your financial planning.

How to Apply

Visit studentaid.gov

 Getting Started:      

  1. Create or reconfirm your Studentaid.gov account.  Everyone who needs to provide information on the FAFSA are now called contributors and need a Studentaid.gov account (formally known as FSA ID). This includes the student, the student’s parents or stepparents (if the student is dependent), and the student’s spouse (if applicable).  Each person will need their own Studentaid.gov account linked to their independent emails.  https://www.youtube.com/results?searchquery=studentaid.gov+account 
  2. Become familiar with the changes:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOgIb7StyPU  
  3. What to have in front of you:
    • Contributor’s name, date of birth, social security number, and their email
    • 2022 W-2s for both parents and student*
    • 2022 federal tax return if applicable*
    • Asset information such as your and your contributor(s) current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
    • Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms for you and your contributor(s).
    • Records of child support received if applicable
    • FSA ID/StudentAid.gov account (click here for more information)
    • Allegheny Federal Code: 003230

*2022 tax data is used for the 24-25 FAFSA, 2023 tax data should be used for the 25-26 FAFSA

The PA state grant agency, PHEAA, has launched a new portal. If PHEAA contacts you for additional materials, you will need to create a new account on their portal, GrantUs, so be on the lookout for further instructions sent to your email.

Steps to complete the FAFSA:     

  1. Go to studentaid.gov and log in with your Studentaid.gov account. 
  2. Complete the Student Section of the FAFSA.   
  3. Invite contributors to your FAFSA. This includes your parents or stepparents (if you are a dependent student) and your spouse (if applicable). Be sure to have your contributor information readily available (full name, date of birth, social security number, and email).
  4. Both you and your contributors on the FAFSA must give consent to transfer federal tax information and enter information on the FAFSA. If consent is not given by all contributors, you will not be eligible to receive Federal Student Aid.

FAFSA TIPS:           

  • Consent & Sign: Both student and contributors must give consent and sign the FAFSA in order for a student to be eligible for Federal Student Aid.  If a signature and consent is not given, you will not be eligible to receive Federal Student Aid.  
  • Be vigilant: FAFSA applications that are not completed and have not had any activity within 45 days will be voided and the application will have to be restarted.
  • Known issues: There are still a few known issues the Department of Education is working to resolve, which are affecting certain populations of filers.
  • Be accurate:  Provide complete and accurate information.  Errors or omissions could delay your application or change your aid eligibility.
  • Apply early: Some FAFSA funds are processed on a first-come basis so submitting it early is best. 
  • Keep information accessible:  If selected by Federal Student Aid, you may be asked to provide copies of your tax returns, W-2s, and other documents to verify your information for both parents and students. 
  • Be patient: Allegheny College will not receive your FAFSA results until mid-March from the Department of Education. The Financial Aid Office will process FAFSA information as quickly as possible.

HELP IS AVAILABLE: Remember, Federal Student Aid and your Financial Aid Office is ready to help.

  • Federal Student Aid: 1-800-433-3243
  • Allegheny College: 1-800-835-7780
  • E-mail: fao@allegheny.edu 
  • Allegheny College will be offering FAFSA workshops in the Spring to help students with the updated FAFSA. The workshop dates will be communicated with students.