FAFSA Parent Guide 2025-26

Introduction

This guide assumes the student has completed their portion of the FAFSA and identified you as a Parent Contributor.

Completing the FAFSA helps determine the student's eligibility for:

  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Federal student loans
  • State financial aid
  • School financial aid

Step 1: Logging In

Use your FSA ID to log in. If you don’t have one, you will need to create an account.

If you forgot your username or password, use the recovery options such as “Forgot My Username” or “Forgot My Password,” or contact 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

Step 2: Accepting the Invitation

Once you are logged in, click “Accept Invitation” to begin your section of the FAFSA. You’ll be asked to share personal and contact information. Click “Continue.”

Step 3: Parent Contribution Section

You'll be prompted to provide required personal and financial information. You can save and return later.

Step 4: Understanding the FAFSA

What is the FAFSA?

It’s the Free Application for Federal Student Aid used to apply for grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.

Contributors

Parents or spouses may be contributors. They must log in with their own FSA ID and provide personal and financial info.

Consent and IRS Data

Consent is required to import tax data from the IRS. Without it, the student will be ineligible for federal aid.

After Submission

Forms are typically processed within 3 days. Students receive a FAFSA Submission Summary and Student Aid Index (SAI). When you have read all of the information, click “Start FAFSA form.”

Step 5: Identity and Address

Review and confirm your name, date of birth, SSN, email, phone number, and mailing address. Click “Continue.”

Step 6: Consent and Approval

Approve the use of your tax information. If you do not provide consent to disclose Federal Tax Information (FTI), the FAFSA will be considered incomplete and the student will be ineligible for federal aid. Click “Approve.”

Step 7: Parent Demographics

Provide marital status and spouse/partner information. You may need to invite them as contributors. Click “Continue.”

Step 8: Legal Residence

Enter your state of legal residence and the date you became a resident of that state. Click “Continue.”

Step 9: Parent Finances

Provide financial details including federal benefits received, tax filing status, family size, and number in college. If you did not receive any benefits, select “None of these apply.”

Step 10: Tax Return Information

Enter income earned, adjusted gross income, tax paid, and other relevant tax details. If any responses are zero, you must type “0” in the appropriate field before clicking “Continue” to move on.

Step 11: Assets and Support

Report any child support received and current assets (excluding primary residence). Click “Continue.”

Step 12: Review and Signature

Review all information. Electronically sign using your FSA ID. Certify that all information is accurate by checking the “Agree” box, then click “Sign.”

Step 13: Final Confirmation

You will see a confirmation screen when done.  Once all contributors have completed their sections, the FAFSA form is submitted for processing.

The student will receive an email confirmation and can track the status via studentaid.gov.

NIU School Code

Use NIU's School Code when completing the FAFSA.

001737