• Student Aid Index (SAI): Calculated by FAFSA data and will determine student aid eligibility. This replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) that was used in previous years.
  • Contributor: A parent, stepparent, student, or spouse of the student who is providing information to the FAFSA. 
  • Consent: Required from all contributors for the IRS to share tax data directly to the FAFSA. If any contributor does not provide consent, the student will automatically be ineligible for aid.
  • Direct Data Exchange (DDX): Previously known as IRS Data Retrieval; this tool imports tax data directly from the IRS to your FAFSA.
  • FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS): A summary of your completed FAFSA information. This replaces the Student Aid Report (SAR) that was used in previous years.

  • Create an FSA ID
    Required for all contributors, including the student. If you already have one, no need to reapply. Parents without an SSN should follow special instructions.
  • Identify Contributors
    FAFSA will help determine contributors, which may include students, parents, step-parents, and a student’s spouse.
  • Gather Tax Documents
    Collect 2023 federal tax returns and W-2s for all contributors, if applicable.
  • Verify FAFSA Data Before Submission
    Corrections cannot be made until February, so review carefully before submitting.
  • Check AU Email Regularly
    Requests for additional information will be sent to your AU email starting mid-February.

Create Account Username and Password (FSA ID)

If you do not have an account with StudentAid.gov, you should create an account at least 3-5 days before beginning your FAFSA. All individuals required to provide information on your FAFSA (yourself, parent(s), and spouse, if applicable) should create an account before beginning the FAFSA. What you will need to create an account is your full legal name (name on social security card), date of birth, SSN, and either an email address or mobile phone number that is unique to you. An email address or mobile phone number cannot be associated with multiple accounts. Additional information about creating your StudentAid.gov Account.

Apply Proper Capitalization to Names

If names are entered in all lower case when you create your FSA ID or submit your FAFSA, there may be issues with your application. 

Provide High School Information

Provide high school completion status, high school name, city, and state. Do not leave any of these fields blank.

Complete Entire Application

Provide answers to all questions. If a financial question that requires a dollar amount does not apply to you, enter $0, do not leave fields blank.

Student’s Marital Status

You must report marital status as of the date you file the FAFSA for all individuals about whom you give information. If you are not married as of the date that you submit the FAFSA, you cannot report your status as married, even if you plan to marry during the aid year. Future spouses cannot be included in household size.

Parent Marital Status

One of the most common errors on the FAFSA is parent marital status. If your biological parents are divorced and the parent you are reporting on FAFSA has remarried, select “Married (not separated)” for parent marital status and include information for both parent and stepparent. In case of divorce, you should report the information of the parent who provides the most financial support to you. The parent wizard assists you in determining which parent(s) should be listed on your FAFSA.

Tax Information

The 2026-27 FAFSA requires 2024 federal tax information. Applicants and others required to provide information on your FAFSA (contributors) must consent to the transfer of federal tax information from the IRS to the FAFSA, regardless of tax filing status. Contributors will only be able to report and view information that is relevant to them.

Electronic Signature and Consent Required

All contributors who are required to provide information on your FAFSA must have an account at StudentAid.gov to sign and consent to Direct Data Exchange (DDX) with the IRS, regardless of tax filing status. If signature and consent are not provided from all required contributors, your eligibility cannot be determined. Individuals required to sign and consent:

  • Dependent with parents who filed taxes jointly – student and one parent must sign and consent to DDX.
  • Dependent with parents who filed taxes separately – student and both parents must sign and consent to DDX.
  • Dependent with parents not required to file taxes - student applicant and both parents must sign and consent to DDX.
  • Independent unmarried – student must sign and consent to DDX.
  • Independent married filed taxes jointly – student must sign and consent to DDX.
  • Independent married filed taxes separately – student and spouse must sign and consent to DDX.
  • Independent married not required to file - student and spouse must sign and consent to DDX.

Family Size

FAFSA will use the number of dependents from your federal tax return as the family size. You will be asked if your family size has changed since your 2024 tax return was filed.  If you answer yes, you will be prompted to update your family size.  This should include only the number of individuals that you/your parents now support and for whom you/your parents will continue to provide more than 50% support between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026. Include your parents’ other dependent children attending postsecondary schools in 2026-27. Always include yourself (the student).  An unborn child cannot be included in family size.

Asset Information

When answering questions about parent/student assets, you must report the worth of those assets as of the date you complete the FAFSA. These items cannot be updated after you submit the FAFSA. Do not include financial aid received.

List the College Code

Auburn University’s code is 001009.  If our code is not listed, we will not receive the results of your FAFSA.

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth or Unaccompanied Youth at Risk of Homelessness

Students who are unaccompanied from their parents and homeless or at risk of homelessness should reach out to the Office of Financial Aid for assistance with completing the FAFSA.

  • Definition of unaccompanied youth: No parent or legal guardian available to provide care and physical custody.
  • Definition of homeless: lacking fixed, regular, adequate housing at night.

Please email finaid7@auburn.edu for assistance.

FAQ

Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027.

The priority date for general and departmental scholarships is February 16, 2026.  Students must complete the scholarship application through AUSOM to receive consideration for general and departmental scholarships. FAFSA and any requested verification documents should be received by Auburn by this date for need-based scholarship consideration.

The priority date for federal aid funds such as Federal Supplemental Grant (SEOG) and Federal Work Study is February 16, 2026.  FAFSA and any requested verification documents should be received by Auburn by this date for priority consideration of these funds.

Yes, all contributors must have an FSA ID.

The parent who provides the most financial support to the student should be the contributor on the FAFSA.  If that parent is remarried, then that parent’s current spouse will also be a contributor.

Yes. Invitations to be a contributor will be deleted when they have been inactive for 45 days. Any previously entered information will be deleted and the process will need to start over.