FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for Tennessee students. Here is the link to begin the application: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Don't forget you must complete the FAFSA to be eligible for the TN HOPE Scholarship & the TN Promise! The Tennessee deadline is March 15, 2025.
How can students prepare?
- To complete the FAFSA, students and contributors to their family income, including parents and spouses, should create online accounts at StudentAid.gov. Creating these accounts in advance is recommended to save time before completing the FAFSA. Step by step guide to creating a FSA ID: HERE
- Required information includes names, dates of birth, email addresses, and Social Security numbers for all parties filling out the FAFSA. Tax information should transfer automatically from the IRS with family consent; however, having tax returns, child support records, and current balances for cash, savings, and checking accounts ready is advisable. Families should also know the net worth of their investments and businesses.
- A student starting classes in the fall of 2025 will fill out the 2025-2026 FAFSA form although aid calculations will be based on tax filings from 2023.
- Families are cautioned to only submit the FAFSA through the official government website (StudentAid.gov) and never pay to submit the free form.
How will students know what aid they'll get?
- Students can share their information with up to 20 colleges and trade schools. Early submission is encouraged, as some schools have priority deadlines for grants and scholarships. Be sure to check with your desired school(s) for their deadlines, as they could be before the State of TN deadline. The deadline to remain eligible for the Tennessee Promise scholarship is March 15, 2025.
- After completing the FAFSA, students should expect communication from the schools they've applied to. Families are warned against accepting unexpected offers of financial aid, as they could be scams. The U.S. Department of Education advises verifying the legitimacy of offers by checking with the school's financial aid office when in doubt.
The State of TN offers assistance in completing the FAFSA via webinars, how to videos and are available via chat and phone call from their website! Here is a link you might find helpful: https://www.collegefortn.org/fafsa/