FAFSA® is Easier Than You Think

By Brandon Swenson March 31, 2022

Planning to use financial aid to fund your education? We’re here to help guide you through FAFSA®, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

There are no strings attached: FAFSA® is free, doesn't commit you to a college or university, and brings you one step closer to starting the program of your choice.

Gather Essential Documents

Before you begin, make sure you have key documents ready:

  • Your Social Security Number
  • Tax returns and financial records (from the prior-prior year)
  • Bank statements and investment records
  • FSA ID (username and password for FAFSA)

Start Your FAFSA®

  • Start your FAFSA® by Creating an FSA ID at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch—FSA ID is a username and password combination that allows you to complete the process online.
    • You’ll need: Your Social Security Number, a mobile phone number or an email address
    • Pro tip: Be sure to write down your username and password and keep this info in a safe place
  • Continue to enter your personal information—name, email, marital status and schools you are interested in attending.
    • Remember: Enter UA Grantham’s school code 041223—this will get us your information automatically (we may be listed as Grantham University)
  • Enter your financial information.
    • Pro Tip: Save time and automatically import your tax information using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT)—be sure to use the EXACT address you used when filing your taxes
    • Finally, you may be required to enter information about your legal parents if you are a dependent student.

Submit & Sign FAFSA® Electronically

After filling out the form, you’ll need to electronically sign using your FSA ID. Double-check all entries to avoid errors, and submit the application. Remember, FAFSA® typically opens October 1st, and deadlines vary, so apply as soon as possible to maximize your aid.

Review Your Student Aid Report (SAR)

Once you submit the FAFSA®, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) outlining your eligibility for federal aid. Review it carefully to ensure all information is accurate.

For more information about tuition and financial aid, visit https://www.uagrantham.edu/online-college-tuition/ or https://www.studentaid.gov/.

UA Grantham Academics // Student Interest

About the Author

Brandon Swenson
Brandon Swenson, communications manager, is on University of Arkansas Grantham’s editorial board. A veteran and college graduate himself, he understands the benefits and intricacies of government education programs, such as veteran education benefits. Brandon earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City toward the end of his nearly two-decade tour in the United States Marine Corps.
« Previous PostExplore UA Grantham Library Resources
Next Post »What's in the water? Earth Day theme underscores hidden dangers of plastics

Explore our Programs

Or
By submitting this form or clicking the Google button, I'm providing my electronic signature and express written consent and agreement permitting UA Grantham to email me; if I provide a phone number, I agree UA Grantham may call and/or text me, possibly using an auto-dialer and/or an artificial or pre-recorded voice. Message and data rates may apply. Providing this consent is not required to enroll. If I live outside the US, I am giving consent to transfer my data to the US. I also agree to the terms in the privacy policy.