Check out these tips, straight from the University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid:
1. Log-in or create your StudentAid.gov account
You (and anyone helping you) need a studentaid.gov account to submit the FAFSA online.
- If you’re a dependent student, you’ll include both your and your parents’ information.
- If you’re independent, you’ll report your own information, and your spouse’s, if married.
- Not living with your parents or not being claimed on their taxes does not automatically make you independent.
- If you’ve left home due to an abusive situation or have no contact with your parents, fill out the FAFSA and then contact the Office of Student Financial Aid right away to discuss your options.
- Contributors without a Social Security Number (SSN) can still create a studentaid.gov account to complete their portion.
2. Gather Your Documents Before You Start
Save yourself the scramble. You’ll need:
- SSNs for you and your contributors.
- 2024 tax returns and W-2s, if you worked; and filed taxes.
The FAFSA uses “prior-prior year” data, so it’s based on 2024 income.
3. Know Your FAFSA Steps
Here’s what to expect:
- Start the FAFSA form and complete all required student sections.
- Provide consent and approval for your contributor’s tax information to be pulled from the IRS.
- Sign your portion of the form electronically.
- Invite your contributors (such as a parent or spouse) using the link and invite code provided.
- When adding contributor information, use the exact same name, date of birth, and SSN as they appear on the contributor’s legal identification.
- Why? Ensuring a correct match prevents processing delays.
- Contributors will log in to the form, complete their required sections, provide consent and approval, and sign before saving and exiting.
Once your FAFSA is successfully submitted, it can take about a week for the Office of Student Financial Aid to receive it. You’ll get an email from our office when it arrives.
4. File by December 1, 2025
Financial Aid is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to complete your FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens each year. To be considered for need-based aid, your FAFSA must be submitted by December 1, 2025. You can still file after this date, but funding for some programs may no longer be available.
5. Check Your Financial Aid To Do List
After filing, log into your Financial Aid To Do List in MyUI to see if more documents are needed. Turn in any requested items quickly to avoid delays in your offer.
Financial Aid offers are typically sent mid-March. In the meantime, review what could impact your offer from year to year. Some common factors include:
Changes in your or your family’s income, assets, or household size.
Adding or dropping classes, or changing your enrollment level.
Receiving additional scholarships or outside funds.
Graduating in the fall semester, which can impact loan eligibility.
Reporting special or unusual financial circumstances.
Understanding these factors early helps you plan ahead and avoid surprises when your aid offer is released.