FAFSA Hub for Mixed-Status Families

About the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an online form used to determine who is eligible for federal financial aid. The FAFSA asks questions about your family, your parents’ income and assets, and your plans for college. This information is used to calculate your financial need, represented by the Student Aid Index (SAI) – formerly, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). 

You must fill out the FAFSA to receive federal aid (including the Pell Grant) and to be eligible for Federal Work Study. Some states also use the information provided on the FAFSA to determine eligibility for state grants, though this varies state to state. Some loan and scholarship providers may also use the FAFSA to decide how to allocate funding to applicants. 

Any student who is a citizen  or an eligible non-citizen can fill out the FAFSA, regardless of their parents’ citizenship status.

This resource hub provides up-to-date information and resources to support students and families to complete the FAFSA. We focus specifically on information and resources for members of mixed-status families, including families where one or more member does not have a social security number.