Getting Help with Your FAFSA
If you're thinking about enrolling in college, now’s the time to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). WGU is here to help you navigate the financial aid process to help make our low tuition even more affordable.
Keep reading for information and tips to help you fill out the FAFSA form. And if you need additional help, sign up for our free FAFSA consulting service and connect directly with a Financial Aid Counselor who can walk you through the process to complete your FAFSA.
Where to Start
Create an Account
Before you start the FAFSA application you will need an FSA ID. This is a combination of a username and password. This ID gives you access to certain information online and allows you to sign your FAFSA form electronically. If you do not already have an FSA ID, you can create an FSA ID.
Tip: Make sure and enter your name and Social Security number exactly as they appear on your Social Security card when you create your FSA ID.
Determine Which FAFSA to Fill Out
You will also need to determine which FAFSA to fill out depending on when you plan to start your enrollment. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form you fill out should correspond with the school year you’re planning to seek aid for:
If you need aid for July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2027 you should fill out the 2026-27 FAFSA.
If You need aid for July 1st, 2027 to June 30th, 2028 you should fill out the 2027-28 FAFSA
All applicants for federal student aid are classified as either dependent or independent.
- Dependent students report their information AND their parents’ information.
- Independent students report their own information (and, if they’re married, their spouse’s).
To determine if you are a dependent or independent student, please visit the FAFSA website.
Tip: If you’re a dependent student, it’s required that one of your parents whose details are recorded on the FAFSA form, obtain an FSA ID. This allows them to electronically sign your FAFSA application.
Need assistance with an existing FSA ID login issue? Please see guidance video for an existing FSA ID login issue.
If you or your parent doesn’t have a Social Security Number, you can find guidance on creating an FSA ID.
Gather the Required Documents
There are specific documents you’ll need to apply for financial aid, and it’s easier to complete the FAFSA form if you gather these ahead of time. Here are a few items to have handy:
- Your Social Security number (SSN).
- Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen).
- Your driver’s license number.
- Your federal income tax return.
- This includes IRS W-2 information.
- You’ll also need your spouse’s federal income tax return if you are married or your parents’ return if you are a dependent student.
- Records of your untaxed income.
- This includes child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits provided to you, or to your parents if you’re a dependent student.
- Information on your cash, savings and checking account balances, investments, and business and farm assets for you and for your parents if you are a dependent student.
FAFSA Process and Requirment FAQs
- What does it mean when I am asked to provide consent and approval on the FAFSA form?
- What data does my Federal Tax Income (FTI) encompass?
- What information is required when inviting a contributor to complete the FAFSA?
In order to be eligible for Federal Title IV Aid you and your contributors must provide consent on the FAFSA form. When you provide Consent and Approval you agree to the following:
- To share your personally identifiable information (PII) provided on the FAFSA form with the IRS.
- To have your federal tax information transferred directly into the FAFSA form via the direct date exchange (DDX) with the IRS.
- To let the U.S. Department of Education use your federal tax information to determine your eligibility for federal student aid.
- To allow the Department to share your federal tax information with schools listed on your FAFSA form and state higher education agencies for their use in awarding and administrating financial aid.
- To allow the Department to reuse your federal tax information on other FAFSA forms that you are invited to and choose to participate in.
It is important to note that when your contributors provide their consent and approval, it does not mean they are responsible for paying for your education.
If you are a dependent student and your parent refuses to provide consent and approval on your FAFSA form, you will not be eligible to receive federal student aid.
Through the direct data exchange (DDX) from the IRS to the FAFSA form the following taxpayer information is provided:
- Tax Year (e.g. 2023 tax year information for the 2025-26 FAFSA);
- Tax filing status;
- Adjust Gross Income (AGI);
- Number of dependents;
- Income earned from work;
- Taxes paid;
- Educational tax credits;
- Untaxed individual retirement arrangement/account (IRA) distributions;
- IRA deductions and payments;
- Untaxed pension amounts
- Tax-exempt interest;
- Schedule C net profit/loss;
- Indicators for Schedules A, B, D, E, F, and H
The information required when inviting a contributor (student, independent student's spouse, or dependent student's parent) to complete the FAFSA includes the contributor's:
- Legal name (from their Social Security Card);
- Date of birth;
- Social Security Number (SSN) if they have one;
- Mailing address if they don't have an SSN; and
- Email address
For example, when a dependent student invites a parent who has an SSN, they must enter the correct SSN in the invitation screen (shown below) along with the contributor's legal name, date of birth, and email address. The legal name, date of birth, and SSN have to match what the parent used when setting up their FSA ID. There is a crosscheck between the FAFSA and FSA ID system to make sure the parent is getting linked up with the correct student’s FAFSA. When a parent does not have an SSN, the student checks the "My parent doesn't have a SSN" box on the invitation screen and it will flip to asking them to enter the parent's full mailing address instead; the mailing address will have to match what is in the parent's FSA ID to complete the linking process.
If the student incorrectly entered any of the parent's information, the student will have to go back in and correct it before the parent will be able to log in and link up with the student's FAFSA.
The email address used to invite a contributor does not have to match the email address in that contributor's FSA ID. For example, the student does not have to use the same email address that is in the parent's FSA ID when they invite the parent to contribute. When the contributor logs in with an FSA ID, the email address does not have to match what is in the invitation. This means that, at the time of the initial invitation, the same email address can be used for multiple contributors (e.g., the student and the parent). Note that the parent is not logging in with an email; they have to log into their section using their FSA ID. The name, date of birth, and SSN will have to match what was in the invitation in order to have access to the student’s FAFSA.
Prior to the release of the updated FSA ID process (scheduled late 2023), the contributor can set up an FSA ID without an email. After ED updates the FSA ID process, an email will be required. If the contributor tries to log into a 2024-25 FAFSA and their FSA ID does not have an email address in it, the contributor will have to stop and add the email address to the FSA ID, but it still won’t have to match what was in the invitation.
Start the 2026-27 FAFSA Form and Provide Your Information
Start the 2026-27 FAFSA Form and provide your information. Once you have an FSA ID, log-in as a student and then follow the steps to complete the form at studentaid.gov.
Tip: If you are a dependent student, and are completing the FAFSA in a separate location from your parents the FAFSA form will prompt an email to be sent to their unique email address with instructions on how to complete their portion. To send the invite you need their legal name (from their Social Security Card); Date of Birth; Social Security Number (SSN) if they have one or a mailing address if they don’t have an SSN, and their email address.
List Your Colleges
You must list at least one college on your FAFSA. The schools you list will use your FAFSA information to determine the types and amounts of aid you receive.
WGU’s school code is:
033394
Provide Your Financial Information
The FAFSA form asks for financial information, including information from tax forms and balances of savings and checking accounts.
- The 2026-27 FAFSA Form asks for 2024 tax information
- The 2027-28 FAFSA Form asks for 2025 tax information
Tip: If your or your family’s financial situation has changed significantly from what’s reflected on your federal income tax return (for example, if you’ve lost a job), you may be eligible to have your financial aid adjusted. Federal regulations allow limited exceptions or adjustments to information reported on your FAFSA. These exceptions or adjustments are known as “Special Circumstances” or “Professional Judgment” and are considered case-by-case based on the supporting documentation you provide.
Sign and Submit Your FAFSA Form
As you finish your FAFSA form, be sure to sign with your FSA ID so that your FAFSA will be processed as quickly as possible.
Tip: If you log in to the form by providing your FSA ID, you won’t be asked for it again when it’s time to sign. However, if you’re providing parent information, one of your parents will be required to sign your application.
Student Aid Report
After you submit your FAFSA form, you’ll get a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS), an electronic or paper document that summarizes the information you reported on your FAFSA form. It includes your Student Aid Index (SAI), your estimated eligibility for federal student loans and Federal Pell Grants, and whether you’ve been selected for verification. You'll get your FSS within three days to three weeks after you submit your FAFSA form.
Professional Judgements
What is a Professional Judgment (PJ)?
Federal regulations allow limited exceptions or adjustments to information reported on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These exceptions or adjustments are known as a “Professional Judgment,” and are based on a student’s special or unusual circumstances. These circumstances are reviewed and analyzed on a case-by-case basis.
What types of Professional Judgments are available for me to apply for at WGU?
The professional judgments available are Student Aid Index (SAI) appeals, Cost of Attendance (COA) Appeals, and Dependency Overrides.
What is an SAI Appeal?
A Student Aid Index (SAI) Professional Judgment Appeal is for undergraduate students that have had a change in their circumstances since the “base tax year” income was reported, which you included on the FAFSA. (Please note that WGU won’t modify either the formula or tables used in the SAI calculation, but we may adjust a data element in the SAI calculation.)
If I’m a graduate student, can I submit an SAI appeal?
Graduate students don’t receive any need-based financial aid, so an SAI appeal wouldn’t benefit you. A COA appeal may be your best option to receive additional student loans.
What documents will I need to submit for an SAI appeal?
All PJ appeals require a statement explaining the circumstances that have changed since completing the FAFSA. You’ll need to include dates when the changes or special circumstances occur. You’ll also need third-party documents that substantiate your change in circumstances, income documentation for the most recent previous tax year, and recent income and pay statements.
If I’m self-employed, can I file an SAI appeal?
Yes, but depending on the time of year and type of self-employment income you receive, you may need specific forms of income documentation as support material for your appeal. Make sure you email facounselors@wgu.edu to determine what kind of documentation you’ll need for your specific circumstances.
Why is verification required for an SAI appeal to be processed?
Before an SAI appeal can be processed, the current FAFSA information must be verified to set a baseline for any potential updates or changes to the FAFSA. If the financial aid counselor reviews your initial documents and determines that there’s no benefit to proceed with the processing of your SAI appeal, it may be denied or closed before verification is requested.
When will I find out if my SAI appeal was approved?
Once all requested documents have been received and reviewed, you will receive an email with the outcome of the appeal.
Can I file an SAI appeal for excessive medical expenses?
An SAI appeal can be filed for excessive medical expenses in consideration of special circumstances, but the medical expenses must be out-of-pocket costs that exceed 11% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). Medical expenses paid by insurance or others can’t be considered as special circumstances. Generally, the out-of-pocket expenses need to be incurred within the term you’re requesting the appeal or at minimum within the most recent six months.
How do I file for an SAI that is due to excessive medical expenses?
If your medical expenses are paid out of pocket and exceed 11% of your AGI, you can email facounselors@wgu.edu to start the process. A financial aid counselor will contact you to review your special circumstances and determine what third-party documents you’ll need for the appeal.
Can my household debt be considered for an SAI appeal?
Credit card debt, car payments, mortgage payments, existing student (or parent) loan debt, or other forms of consumer debt will not be considered special circumstances for an SAI appeal.
If I’m unemployed, will I automatically be eligible for a Pell Grant?
If you’re currently unemployed and receiving unemployment benefits, you must include this information in your income calculations. In some cases, the amount of income earned in the year under review may be too high to be considered Pell eligible. It’s important to remember that unemployment doesn’t guarantee Pell eligibility. The prior year taxes may be used to determine income for the adjustments to the FAFSA’s data elements.
What is a Dependency Override?
A Dependency Override is used when a student has experienced unusual circumstances that would warrant an override of the requirement for parental information to be provided on the current FAFSA. Parent information is required even if a student is self-supporting and no longer resides with their parent(s). Some reasons that don’t merit a Dependency Override include if your parents refuse to contribute to your education, if they’re unwilling to provide information on the application or for verification, or if you demonstrate total self-sufficiency. Check with the U.S. Department of Education for more information on ineligible reasons.
When will I find out if my Dependency Override was approved?
Once all requested documents have been received and reviewed, you will receive an email with the outcome of the appeal.
What is a COA appeal?
A Cost of Attendance (COA) Appeal is an appeal for increased Cost of Attendance. If you've experienced unforeseen expenses during the academic year that aren't accounted for in your program's COA, you may appeal for an increase to your COA. If the COA Appeal is approved, the COA increase may result in additional loan funding.
If I’ve already borrowed the maximum amount for my grade level limit, would I benefit from a COA appeal?
In most cases, it wouldn’t be of any benefit to you to file a COA Appeal if you’ve already reached your maximum amount for grade level limits or your aggregate loan limits. The exception would be if you’re receiving a scholarship, work study funding, or third-party funds that would exceed what remains in your (current) COA budget for the aid year.
When will I find out if my COA appeal was approved?
After you’ve submitted the requested information for the appeal and it has been reviewed, you will receive an email with the outcome of the appeal. If your student loan amount is increased based on an approved COA appeal, you may be asked to confirm that you understand the approval means you will be borrowing more loans.
Do I have to show my previous year’s taxes just to get a Professional Judgment?
We may require a copy of your taxes that you indicated on FAFSA, along with your current taxes, to complete a review for a Professional Judgment. Depending on the situation, we may need to do a comparison or verify the information you provided.
What will be the result of my Professional Judgment?
The result of your Professional Judgment will depend on the type you are requesting.
What’s Next?
If you’ve been accepted at a school that you listed on your FAFSA form, the school will calculate your aid and send you an aid offer letter telling you how much aid you’re eligible for. If you’re offered financial aid and you accepted it, the financial aid staff at your college or career school will explain how and when your financial aid will be paid out.
Terminology Definitions:
Each contributor will now need to provide their consent during the FAFSA completion process to allow their Federal Tax Information (FTI) to be included in the FAFSA, even if they did not file a U.S. tax return.
A contributor refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student’s form and provide consent and approval for federal tax information (FTI) along with their signature on the FAFSA form, including the student, the student's spouse; a biological or adoptive parent, or a stepparent.
The system is used to transfer individuals' tax information to determine federal aid eligibility. This replaces the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT).
Output document providing a summary of data input on the FAFSA form received after completing the FAFSA application. This replaces the Student Aid Report (SAR).
Beginning with the 2024-25 award year, all applicable FAFSA contributors must consent to the retrieval of federal tax information from the IRS for purposes of determining a student's eligibility for Title IV Financial Aid.
A calculation based on the FAFSA allows the school to determine how much need-based financial aid you may be eligible for. This replaces the Expected Family Contribution as the method for need-based aid determination.
We're Here to Help
Sign up for our free FAFSA Consulting Service and connect directly with a Financial Aid Counselor to get additional resources and support in completing your FAFSA.
For other financial aid assistance, you can contact the Financial Services department at 1-877-435-7948 x3104.
