Financial Aid

FAFSA

The 2026-27 FAFSA is now available for students and contributors at studentaid.gov

Complete the FAFSA as Soon as Possible

It is important for families to complete the FAFSA for aid consideration.  Prepare by having the student, spouse, and parent(s) create a FSA ID if they do not have one. A personal FSA ID will be required of each person who is required to supply tax information on the FAFSA.

Incoming Students

New undergraduate students for 2026-27 should continue to prioritize their UC admission application completion by November 1 for scholarship consideration.

The FAFSA remains key for new undergraduate and graduate students to get a financial aid award offer from UC (and any other school you are considering). We want you to have a complete financial award as you make your college selection. 

Continuing Students

Returning college students also want to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. 

You want to know your aid eligibility sooner than later to make financial plans for continuing your education. 

Who will be a FAFSA Contributor?

A contributor to the FAFSA is a person whose tax information is required on the FAFSA.

  • The student is an obvious contributor.
  • Next, the parent(s) will be contributors if the student is considered dependent for financial aid purposes.
    • When biological or adoptive parents are not married and not living together, the FAFSA uses the parent who provided most financial support to the student in the past 12 months.
    • The spouse (if any) of that parent is also a contributor.
  • A married student's spouse is a contributor.

Students who need help determining the parent contributor on their FAFSA can utilize the Who's my FAFSA Parent? Wizard for assistance. Each FAFSA contributor will need to get an FSA ID if they don't already have one. FSA IDs can take 3-5 days for setup.

The FSA ID is needed to consent and agree to release IRS tax information for the FAFSA. All contributors who filed taxes separately or who did not file taxes for the FAFSA tax year (2023 taxes for 25-26, 2024 taxes for 26-27) will need their own FSA ID. Your FSA ID can be used on multiple FAFSAs if you are a contributor on more than one FAFSA and will be used annually when completing a FAFSA as well as working as an electronic signature on federal loan processes.