Financial
Aid
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Financial Aid
Financial aid helps you cover the cost of college — including tuition, books, housing, and fees. Aid can come in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study, or loans.
Federal
Federal Student Aid is the largest source of financial assistance for college in the United States. By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), students can access grants, work-study, and low-interest loans to help cover educational costs.
FAFSA LINKS
The FAFSA is a FREE form the federal government provides to determine your eligibility for various types of student financial aid, including federal grants, work-study programs, state aid, and loans. Schools also use FAFSA data to offer their own financial aid packages. Remember, the FAFSA isn’t just for those who think they’ll qualify for aid; about $300 million in potential financial aid goes unclaimed every year in Florida alone because students fail to complete their FAFSA.
The FAFSA had significant changes in 2023 under the FAFSA Simplification Act. The new FAFSA form is shorter and easier, with fewer questions and a simpler way to calculate how much financial aid you can get. The maximum Pell Grant is $7,400 for the 2026-2027 school year. Don’t miss out on free money!
The Student Aid Index (SAI) replaced the old Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as the measure of how much a family can contribute toward college costs.
For more information, visit our FAQ section.
STATE
Florida State Aid provides additional funding through scholarships and grants managed by the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA). Completing the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) ensures you are considered for programs like Bright Futures and other state-based awards.
What you need to know:
Student Florida Financial Aid Application( FFAA) opens October 1
You must create a student account.
What you’ll need:
Your Social Security number
Basic personal and school information
A valid email address to set up your OSFA account
Tip: Even if you don’t think you qualify, complete the FFAA — some schools use it to award additional institutional aid.
FFAA LINKS
FAFSA FAQ
FAFSA Form and Application Process
You can begin filing your FAFSA for the 2026-2027 academic year in October 2025.
The federal deadline for submitting the FAFSA is June 30, 2026. However, each state and school may have its own deadline, which could be earlier, so it’s important to check those dates and apply as soon as possible.
To check the status of your FAFSA form, log in to the online FAFSA home page and find your application status on the “My FAFSA” page. If you submit a paper FAFSA form, you can check the status of your application after it has been processed.
An FSA ID is a username and password that gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and serves as your legal signature. It’s used to log into various U.S. Department of Education websites, including the FAFSA form.
A Contributor refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student’s FAFSA form. This can include the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adopted parent, or the parent’s spouse. Being a Contributor does not imply any financial responsibility for the student’s college costs. It only means you may be required to provide specific information to complete the FAFSA form.
The FAFSA Simplification Act significantly overhauls the processes and systems used to award federal student aid, including the FAFSA form, need analysis, and many policies and procedures. It affects every state that uses FAFSA data to award state grant aid and every school participating in federal student aid programs.
The FAFSA Simplification Act streamlines the FAFSA form, uses data received directly from the IRS to calculate Federal Pell Grant eligibility and the SAI, and removes questions about Selective Service registration and drug convictions.
The SAI is the new measure of a family’s ability to pay for college, replacing the EFC. The new need analysis formula allows a minimum SAI of -1500 and implements separate eligibility determination criteria for Federal Pell Grants.
To be eligible for FAFSA, you must demonstrate financial need for need-based federal student aid programs, be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, have a valid Social Security number, be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program, be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds, maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school, sign the certification statement on the FAFSA form, and show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education.
Yes, if you’re a dependent student, your parents will need to provide their information and sign your FAFSA form. Parents will need most of the same information that the student needs, including their Social Security number, federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned.
If your financial situation changes significantly after you’ve submitted your FAFSA, such as a loss of employment, you should contact the financial aid office at your school. They have the authority to assess your situation and potentially adjust your financial aid.
For more detailed information, visit the official FAFSA page at https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help.
Remember, these are general questions and answers. Always check with local resources or the official FAFSA website for the most accurate and current information.
STATE FAQ
Get Started with State Aid
The Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) is required to be considered for state-funded scholarships and grants like Bright Futures. Without it, you won’t be evaluated for these programs.
The FFAA opens October 1 of your senior year. Bright Futures requires submission by August 31 after graduation. Some programs have earlier deadlines (April 1 or April 14).
Yes. The FAFSA is required for federal aid and most need-based college aid. Completing both the FAFSA and FFAA gives you access to the widest range of financial assistance.
Eligibility & Programs
Programs include Bright Futures, the Florida Student Assistance Grant, Benacquisto Scholarship, Florida Work Experience Program, Farmworker Scholarship, José Martí, Rosewood, and more. Different tabs appear in the FFAA based on your answers.
Yes. Homeschool, GED, and Personalized Education Plan (PEP) students must submit the FFAA by August 31 of their final year, with additional documentation depending on the program.
Mid-year graduates must complete the FFAA by December 31 of their senior year. Test scores and service/work hours are accepted through January 31 for Bright Futures evaluation.
Application Details
You’ll need your Social Security Number (if you have one), personal details, high school and college plans, and a valid email to set up your OSFA account.
If you don’t have an SSN, OSFA can assign you a pseudo number to process your application. This allows you to still be evaluated for state aid.
Request your test scores be sent to Florida Bright Futures (code 0095) when registering for exams. Scores through August 31 after graduation are considered.
After you Apply
Log in to your OSFA Student Account. Eligibility notifications and award updates appear in your Financial Aid Recipient History (FARH).
No. The FFAA is a one-time application for initial eligibility. As long as you meet renewal criteria, Bright Futures and other awards automatically continue.
Contact the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance at 888-827-2004 or visit the OSFA website.