The 2025-2026 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now open. Anyone applying to college this year is encouraged to fill it out.

FSA ID - The first step in applying for FAFSA is to create an FSA ID. This is where the student and parent each create their own username and password that they will use to electronically sign the completed FAFSA. If you already have an FSA ID, please use your existing account instead of creating a new one.

FAFSA - Once you've created an FSA ID, the next step is to begin completing your FAFSA. Students are encouraged to begin their FAFSA and during the process, they invite their parent(s) to be a "contributer." After that, parents can go to their own FAFSA account and click on the link saying that their son/daughter listed them as a contributer. Students who qualify will recieve federal financial aid. Types of federal financial aid include:

• PELL Grant - Money the student can use for college that they do not have to pay back.

• Student Loans - Low interest loans that students can use for college the student has to pay back.

• Work Study - The college will find the student a campus job where they can earn money to use for college expenses.

TAP - The 2025-2026 TAP application is also now open. Once you have applied for the FAFSA, NYS residents who are applying to colleges located in New York State should also apply for TAP. If they qualify, they will receive NYS financial aid.

Excelsior Scholarship: The Excelsior Scholarship application will be open sometime this spring for anyone who is planning to attend a community or SUNY college in the fall of 2025.  If you qualify for this scholarship, it will cover the cost of tuition, minus any grant or scholarship that you've been awarded.  Through their website, you can click on a link that will allow you to enter your email address or cell phone number so they will contact you directly when the application is open. Please remember that to be eligible for Excelsior, you have to first apply for the FAFSA and TAP applications.  

Help with the FAFSA or TAP Applications

If you need additional help, please visit the FAFSA/TAP Help website. There, you will find resources to help you, including informational events that you can attend.