The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a key step in securing financial aid for college. Whether you鈥檙e applying for the first time or need a refresher, navigating the FAFSA can be a bit overwhelming. But don鈥檛 worry! We鈥檝e broken down everything you need to know鈥攆rom the materials required to the steps involved, along with some helpful tips to make the process easier.  

Why Should You File the FAFSA?  

Filing the FAFSA is essential because it determines your eligibility for federal student aid, including grants, work-study opportunities, and loans. Many states and schools also use FAFSA data to offer their own financial aid packages. So, regardless of whether you think you鈥檒l qualify for financial aid, it鈥檚 worth submitting to the FAFSA. In fact, every new first-year student at Bellarmine receives at least $1,000 more in aid and when combined with a Campus Visit, they can also earn a $1,500 Trustee Scholarship. 

Materials You鈥檒l Need to File the FAFSA  

Before you dive into the FAFSA application, make sure you have the necessary documents at hand. These can vary depending on whether you are a dependent or independent student, but generally, you鈥檒l need the following:  

  1. Your Social Security Number (SSN) - You鈥檒l need to provide your SSN to verify your identity. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need an Alien Registration Number. 
  2. Your Driver鈥檚 License (if applicable) - If you have a driver鈥檚 license, it can be helpful, though not mandatory. 
  3. Your Federal Income Tax Returns - Both you and your parents (if you're a dependent) will need your most recent tax returns. For example, for the 2026-2027 FAFSA, you'll need the 2024 tax return. You can use the Future Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) to automatically import tax information into the FAFSA. 
  4. W-2 Forms - If you or your parents worked, gather your W-2 forms or other records of earnings. 
  5. Bank Statements and Records of Investments - This includes savings and checking account balances, as well as information on other investments like stocks, bonds, and real estate (not including the home you live in).
  6. Records of Untaxed Income - This could include child support received, veterans鈥� benefits, or other untaxed income sources.
  7. List of Schools You Are Interested In - You鈥檒l need to add the schools where you want your FAFSA results sent. You can add up to 20 schools to your FAFSA application. Bellarmine鈥檚 school code is #001954 

Steps for Filing the FAFSA  

Now that you have everything you need, let鈥檚 walk through the process of filing the FAFSA.  

Step 1: Create an FSA ID  An FSA ID is a unique username and password that allows you to sign and submit your FAFSA electronically. Both students and parents (if applicable) will need an FSA ID. Visit the FSA ID website to create one. You can  to determine who in your family needs an FSA ID.  

Step 2: Go to the FAFSA Website  Head to to begin your application. Typically, you can start your FAFSA application anytime after October 1st each year for the upcoming school year.  

Step 3: Fill Out the FAFSA Form  The FAFSA is divided into sections, which you will complete based on your personal and financial information. Here鈥檚 a breakdown of the sections:  

  • Student Information: Basic details like name, SSN, date of birth, and citizenship status. 
  • School Information: List the schools you鈥檙e applying to or interested in attending (Bellarmine鈥檚 School code is #001954). Be sure to include both in-state and out-of-state options. 
  • Dependency Status: The FAFSA asks questions to determine your dependency status as a dependent or independent student. Dependent students will need to provide parental information. 
  • Financial Information: Report income, tax data, and assets including cash, checking, savings, net worth of business, and farms. As mentioned earlier, you can use the FA-DDX to simplify this step. 
  • Sign and Submit: Once all sections are complete, review your information and sign using your FSA ID.  Once you have signed, your parents (if needed) will also have to log in to complete, sign and submit the FAFSA for processing. 

 Step 4: Review Your FAFSA Submission Summary  

After you submit your FAFSA, you鈥檒l receive a FAFSA Submission Summary detailing your application. Review this carefully to ensure there are no errors. If corrections are needed, make them immediately. 

Step 5: Wait for Financial Aid Offers  

Schools will use your FAFSA data to create a financial aid package. This could include federal grants, loans, or work-study opportunities, as well as state and institutional aid. The offers will come directly from the schools you applied to, so be sure to monitor your email and financial aid portals. 

Bellarmine will begin sending comprehensive packages in December for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. 

Tips and Tricks for a Smooth FAFSA Process   

Start Early 

Don鈥檛 wait until the last minute. The FAFSA officially opens on October 1st, so the earlier you apply, the more time you鈥檒l have to gather additional materials if necessary. 

Keep Your Records Organized 

It鈥檚 easy to misplace forms or forget important details. Keep everything in one folder or folder on your computer to ensure you don鈥檛 waste time searching for documents. 

Don鈥檛 Leave Questions Blank 

If a question doesn鈥檛 apply to you, select 鈥淣ot Applicable鈥� or 鈥淶ero鈥� as appropriate, rather than leaving it blank. 

Track Your Application 

After submitting your FAFSA, track the status of your application by logging in to the Student Aid website. You can check if there are any issues or if schools have received your information. 

Keep an Eye on Deadlines 

Each state and school has its own deadlines for financial aid. Be sure to check these deadlines and submit your FAFSA well in advance. Missing a deadline could mean missing out on financial aid.  

In Kentucky, State aid can run out, so file early! 

Contact Your School鈥檚 Financial Aid Office 

If you have questions or run into problems, don鈥檛 hesitate to contact the financial aid office at the school(s) you鈥檙e interested in. They鈥檙e there to help and can guide you through any hiccups. You can contact Bellarmine's Office of Financial Aid at finaid@bellarmine.edu.

Common FAFSA Mistakes to Avoid 

  • Incorrect Social Security Number: Double-check your SSN before submitting. 
  • Missing Parent Info: If you鈥檙e a dependent, make sure to include your parents鈥� financial information鈥攗nless you're considered independent. 
  • Failing to Sign Your FAFSA: Remember that both you (the student) and your parent (if applicable) need to sign the FAFSA. 

Conclusion  

Filing the FAFSA is a crucial step in securing financial aid for college, but it doesn鈥檛 have to be a stressful experience. With the right materials in hand and a clear understanding of the steps involved, you can navigate the process with ease. Start early, stay organized, and make use of available tools to ensure the best outcome for your financial aid application. Students who file FAFSA at Bellarmine are often eligible for additional Bellarmine aid whether they qualify for state and federal aid, so it makes sense to file even if you don't think you'll qualify.

Good luck!