FAFSA Overview

The FAFSA is an application you use to request financial aid for college from the federal government. It collects information used to determine your eligibility for financial aid awards. 

The FAFSA has four main sections of required information:

1. General student information (such as your name, date of birth, etc.)
2. Dependency status (Dependent or Independent)
3. Information about your parent (if applicable)
4. Information about you, the student (and spouse if applicable)

Additional information collected includes the college you attend and your housing plans.

Your signature is required (as is a guardian’s if you are a dependent). Your signature for the online FAFSA is the Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). The FSA ID, which includes a username and password, replaces the FSA PIN. 

• See the Dates & Deadlines page for information.
• You have to fill out a FAFSA every year.

• Apply online at StudentAid.gov. The website will help you understand what documents you need to get started. 
• Don’t have a computer? Visit the Financial Aid Office.

• Contact the Financial Aid Office.
• Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243.
• Are you deaf or hard of hearing? Contact the TTY line at 800-730-8913.

See our Title IV School Codes page.

• Make sure you have an email address listed on your FAFSA (and one for your parent or guardian too, if applicable). 

• If your spouse, sibling or parent also attends Dallas College, each person’s email address must be different. 

Your and your contributor’s federal tax information will be automatically transferred from the IRS into your FAFSA form if you provide your consent and approval. Learn more about Automatic Transfer of Tax Information. 

You Receive Your FAFSA 

• By email 

  • If you complete your FAFSA online, the U.S. Department of Education will send you an email with a link to view your FAFSA Submission Summary. You will also receive a Renewal Application when it is time to renew your application for the next academic year. 

• By mail 

  • If you complete a paper FAFSA and did not provide an email address on it, the U.S. Department of Education will mail you a paper FAFSA Submission Summary . It is sent to the mailing address you listed on the FAFSA. 

Dallas College Receives Your FAFSA 

Your FAFSA information is sent to the colleges you listed when you filled out the FAFSA. This takes about 10 to 14 days after submission When Dallas College receives your FAFSA, it is called the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR). 

Important:  

Dallas College can only receive your FAFSA after you apply to the college. Your Social Security Number (SSN) must match on both your application and the FAFSA. 

You can view the SSN you used on your Dallas College application in your Workday profile. If it does not match your FAFSA, contact the Admissions office for help. 

Verification (If Selected)

If you are selected for verification, you must complete the verification process. If you do not finish the verification process, we cannot determine your financial aid eligibility.  

• Don’t apply late! Be sure to meet the deadlines.

• Report your name and Social Security number (SSN) exactly as they appear on your social security card. 

• Make sure dates of birth are correct. 

• Ask your parents for the exact date when a divorce or remarriage took place. 

• Review household size and number of household members attending college.