FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is primarily designed for the US citizens. However, eligible non-citizens, including Indian students can apply for FAFSA scholarships and grants. The entire process lets aspiring students seek financial assistance for higher education in the United States. To complete the application, you need a Social Security Number (SSN) and fulfil other eligibility criteria. Let’s explore more details about FAFSA for students to fund studies in the USA, along with exploring alternative funding options.
Table of contents
What is FAFSA?
The FAFSA is a form to qualify for Federal Student Aid. The aid provided includes grants, work-study, and federal loans. The US federal government determine your eligibility for financial aid. The FAFSA form collects detailed information about your financial situation, including family income, assets, and other factors. The entire application process takes less than an hour.
US colleges and universities use FAFSA results to offer need-based financial assistance regardless of your income. You need to visit the official website and log in to start filling out the FAFSA form. However, international students, including those from India must carefully consider the eligibility criteria to receive federal aid under FAFSA.
Also Read: Know all about the Zolve Global Scholarships to study in the USA. Check out the amount, criteria, and process for increased selection chances.
Eligibility Criteria for FAFSA
One must fulfil the student loan requirements to study in the USA. Generally, FAFSA scholarships and grants are for US citizens and eligible non-citizens. Eligible non-citizens typically include US permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and individuals with certain types of visas (like a T visa or U visa). Besides, all must fulfil the given criteria-
- Demonstrate financial need for need-based federal aid.
- Enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at a recognized eligible college, university, career school, or trade school.
- Enrolled or planning to enrol at least half-time in an eligible program to receive most types of federal financial aid.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress in your course of study as defined by your school.
- Must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN).
Is FAFSA for Indian Students?
If you plan to take a federal loan while staying in India, then FAFSA is not for you. However, Indian students can avail of FAFSA scholarships and grants only under certain conditions. This includes situations where the student has recently applied for US citizenship or if their parents are authorized to work in the US.
The key eligibility requirements for Indian students to qualify for federal aid through FAFSA while studying in the US are mentioned below. It is important to understand the given criteria and proceed with the application accordingly.
- Indian students who hold a Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570), a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561), or a Documentation of Birth of Citizen Abroad (Form FS-240, FS-545, or DS-1350) are eligible to apply for FAFSA.
- Indian students with an I-551 (Permanent Resident Card) I-94A (Arrival-Departure Record), or I-94 stamped with endorsements such as:
– Processed for I-551
– Holds a Temporary I-551
– Temporary evidence of lawful admission for Permanent Residence
– Or other valid permanent residence documentation, are eligible to apply. - Indian students or their parents must show evidence of a pending permanent resident application with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The documentation should indicate that the student or parent is in the US to become a permanent resident or citizen. The documentation must indicate a parole status that has not expired.
- Students or parents admitted under Section 203(a)(7) on Form I-94 (showing conditional entrant status) before March 31, 1980, may also be eligible for FAFSA.
- Indian students who have an I-797 form or a court order from an immigration judge confirming their status are eligible for federal aid.
- Indian students whose parents are employed in the US and hold employment authorization are eligible to apply for FAFSA.
- Indian students who have a Social Security Number (SSN) whose parents have an SSN, or who have previously worked in the US and possess an SSN, can apply for FAFSA federal aid.
You may apply for financial aid from Indian banks providing education loans to study in the USA. This becomes helpful if you wish to pursue higher education in the States but are unable to fulfil the criteria for FAFSA.
FAFSA Application Process
Applying for FAFSA is a straightforward process, considering you fulfil the eligibility criteria and have the required documents. You can list up to 20 schools on your FAFSA form. You must select the academic year in which you require financial aid. It must be submitted each year you plan to attend the school to be eligible for student aid.
Create a StudentAid.gov Account
Before you can start your FAFSA, you and any contributors (e.g., your parents, spouse, or others) must create a StudentAid.gov account to apply for FAFSA online. This account is used to securely access and complete the FAFSA form online.
Required information: To create your account, you will need to enter your name and Social Security Number (SSN) exactly as they appear on your Social Security card.
FSA ID: Each contributor (e.g., student, parent) will need their FSA ID (username and password) to log in and complete their sections of the FAFSA.
- If you do not have an SSN, they can still create an account to complete their section of the FAFSA.
- It’s highly recommended that you and your contributors create the StudentAid.gov accounts before starting the FAFSA.
Gather Necessary Documents
Before filling out the FAFSA, make sure you have all the required documents. Here’s a checklist of the most commonly needed items:
| Document/Information | Who Needs It |
| Social Security Numbers (SSNs) | For dependent students, parents |
| Tax returns (Federal Income Tax Returns) | Student (and parent, if applicable) |
| Records of child support received | Student and/or parent, if applicable |
| Current bank account balances (checking/savings) | Student and/or parent, if applicable |
| Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms | Student and/or parent, if applicable |
You do not need to send these documents directly to FAFSA unless specifically instructed. However, keep them on hand for reference as you fill out the form. Also, the FAFSA form is free. If you come across any website asking for payment to fill out the FAFSA, be cautious. Always use the official FAFSA website (fafsa.gov).
Starting Your FAFSA Form
To begin the application, go to fafsa.gov and select “Start New Form.” You will be directed to the login page where you will enter your FSA ID username and password.
Steps:
- Login to your StudentAid.gov account using your FSA ID.
- Select your role: Choose “Student” if you’re the student, or “Parent” if you’re filling out the form on behalf of your dependent child.
Note: If you’re applying for a summer session, contact the financial aid office of the school to determine which school year to select on your FAFSA form.
List Colleges and/or Career Schools
In the FAFSA form, you are required to list at least one school to receive your financial aid information. You can list up to 20 schools online or up to 10 on the FAFSA PDF.
| Number of Schools | Online FAFSA | PDF FAFSA |
| Maximum number of schools | 20 | 10 |
- Order of Schools: The order of the schools doesn’t matter for federal aid, but some states require you to list schools in a specific order to qualify for state aid.
- Tip: Include any school you plan to apply to or have applied to, even if you haven’t been accepted yet. Schools will not see which other schools you’ve listed.
Determine Dependency Status
The FAFSA asks a series of questions to determine if you are a dependent or independent student for financial aid purposes. To find out if you are a dependent or independent student, you can use the Dependency Status section within the FAFSA.
- Dependent Students: Must include information from their parents.
- Independent Students: Only need to report their own information.
Reporting Parent and/or Spouse Information
- For Dependent Students: If you are considered a dependent student, you will need to report your parent(s)’ information on the FAFSA.
- For Married Students: If you are married (and not separated), you must report your spouse’s financial information.
If you’re unsure about who qualifies as your parent, use the “Who’s My FAFSA Parent?” wizard to identify the correct parent(s) for your FAFSA.
Provide Financial Information
The FAFSA will ask for financial information such as tax returns, bank balances, and investment details.
- Tax Information: You will need to provide tax return details from the appropriate year. For example:
- 2025–26 FAFSA: Use 2023 tax information.
- 2024–25 FAFSA: Use 2022 tax information.
- Income Adjustments: If your financial situation has changed since your last tax return (e.g., loss of income), you can contact your school’s financial aid office to discuss a possible adjustment.
Also Read: Check out the best banks in the USA for international students. Get to know more about the features & types of bank accounts in the USA.
IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)
One of the easiest ways to complete your FAFSA is by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). This tool allows you to automatically import your federal tax information directly from the IRS into your FAFSA.
- Consent Requirement: Both the student and any required contributors must provide consent for their tax information to be transferred into the FAFSA form.
- Note: If a contributor doesn’t provide consent, you will not be eligible for federal aid, even if they enter their tax information manually.
Sign and Submit the FAFSA
Once you have completed all sections of the FAFSA form, you will need to electronically sign it before submission.
Steps:
- Review the form carefully to ensure all information is correct.
- Sign the form electronically using your FSA ID.
- Submit the FAFSA form.
After submission, you will receive a confirmation page with the following details:
- Completion Date and Data Release Number
- Estimated Student Aid Index (This will help determine your eligibility for federal aid)
- Pell Grant Eligibility (if applicable)
This confirmation page will also be emailed to you for your records.
Keep Track of Your FAFSA Status
After submitting the FAFSA, regularly check your email (including spam folders) for updates from the U.S. Department of Education or your school. Be sure to meet any additional requirements or deadlines for state and institutional financial aid.
FAFSA Deadlines
Three different deadlines are set for filling out the FAFSA Form. The first one is set out by the School, the second one is set by the state, and the last one is the Federal deadline. You must mark out the earliest deadline on the calendar to not miss out on the chance to receive the student aid.
2025-2026 Deadlines
| Type of Deadline | Deadline Date | Time Zone | Details |
| Federal Deadline | June 30, 2026 | 11:59 pm Central Time (CT) | Last date to submit the FAFSA form |
| Correction/Update Deadline | September 13, 2026 | 11:59 pmCentral Time (CT) | Last date to submit corrections or updates to your FAFSA form |
| College and Career/Trade | Varies by school | Varies by school | Check with each school you plan to attend for their specific deadline |
| School Deadlines | Varies by state | Varies by state | Visit your state’s higher education agency website for the most accurate deadline |
2024-2025 Deadlines
| Type of Deadline | Deadline Date | Time Zone | Details |
| Federal Deadline | June 30, 2025 | 11:59 pm Central Time (CT) | Last date to submit the FAFSA form for the 2024–25 award year |
| Correction/Update Deadline | September 14, 2025 | 11:59 pmCentral Time (CT) | Last date to submit corrections or updates to your FAFSA form. |
| College and Career/Trade | Varies by school | Varies by school | Check with each school you plan to attend for their specific deadline |
| School Deadlines | Varies by state | Varies by state | Visit your state’s higher education agency website for the most accurate deadline |
This was all about FAFSA scholarship for Indian students. To learn more about education loans, the best bank accounts for students, forex, or banking experience for global students or international money transfers, reach out to our experts at 1800572126 to help ease your experience with studying abroad.
FAQs
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The form is used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid for college.
FAFSA collects financial information from students and families to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and determine financial aid eligibility.
US citizens, eligible non-citizens, and some international students with a valid Social Security number can fill out the FAFSA form.
FAFSA is primarily for US citizens and eligible non-citizens. Indian students may apply in certain situations, including if the student has recently applied for US citizenship or if their parents are authorized to work in the US.
Eligibility includes being a US citizen or eligible non-citizen, having a high school diploma or GED, and demonstrating financial need.
Indian students can apply for scholarships through universities, private organizations, or government programs. You can fill out the FAFSA form and proceed with application to many US colleges and universities.
The amount varies based on financial need, calculated from the EFC, and can include grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. It can range from USD 13,000 to USD 28,000.
Indian students need a Social Security number, tax returns, bank statements, and information about their family’s financial situation.
Indian students may obtain a Social Security number if they have work authorization or are eligible non-citizens studying in the US.
Yes, Indian students can apply if they meet eligibility criteria and have a valid Social Security number or alien registration number.
You can apply by completing the FAFSA form online at the Federal Student Aid website or through the myStudentAid mobile app.
To fill out the FAFSA form, create an FSA ID online, gather required documents, and complete the application on the official website.
You can check your FAFSA status by logging into your account on the Federal Student Aid website using your FSA ID.
For the 2024-25 academic year, FAFSA applications are due by June 30, 2025. Corrections in applications can be made till 14, September 2025.
For the 2025-26 academic year, FAFSA applications are due by June 30, 2026. Corrections in applications can be made till 13, September 2026.
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