Let’s fill out the FAFSA together.
Keep this page open next to the FAFSA and follow along, one screen at a time. Most families finish in one sitting.
Four things to have ready.
A little prep now saves a lot of back-and-forth later.
Your own StudentAid.gov account
The student and each contributor need a separate account. An email and phone number can only be used on one account. Create yours early.
Create an account →Know who your FAFSA parent is
Dependent students must include at least one parent. StudentAid.gov has a short tool to help you figure out who that is.
Find your FAFSA parent →Your documents
Social Security numbers (if you have them), records of untaxed income, and current balances of cash, savings, and investments.
Allen’s school code
Enter 003417 when the FAFSA asks which schools should receive your information.
Short videos to watch before you begin.
Four official walkthroughs from Federal Student Aid, plus two from Allen for after you submit. Watch them together as a family.
- Step 1
Create your StudentAid.gov account
How students and contributors set up the account that signs the FAFSA.
- Step 2
What consent and approval means
Why everyone on the FAFSA must agree to share federal tax information.
- Step 3
Who is a contributor?
Who needs to provide information on your FAFSA, and why it doesn’t mean they have to pay.
- Step 4
Invite a contributor to your FAFSA
How students invite a parent or spouse, and how they accept.
- After you submit · Allen
Access the Financial Aid Portal
How to log in to Allen’s Financial Aid Portal to see your documents, requirements, and award.
- After you submit · Allen
Accept your financial aid
How to review and accept your financial aid award at Allen University.
More official FAFSA videos and tips at StudentAid.gov.
Your FAFSA, step by step.
Follow these steps in order. You can save your progress and come back anytime.
Log in and start a new form
Go to StudentAid.gov, log in with your own account, and start the FAFSA for the school year you’ll attend. Check that your personal information is correct.
Give consent
Agree to have your federal tax information transferred directly from the IRS. This is required, even if you didn’t file taxes.
Answer questions about you
Tell the FAFSA about your background, your family, and your finances. The form skips questions that don’t apply to you.
Add Allen
Search for Allen University or enter the Federal School Code 003417. You can list up to 20 schools.
Invite your parent or spouse
If you’re asked for a contributor, enter their email to send an invite. You can also share the invite link, code, or QR code.
Sign and submit
Sign your section. Your FAFSA can’t be processed until every contributor finishes theirs, so check back to make sure it’s complete.
Your part takes just five steps.
If your student invited you to their FAFSA, you’re a contributor. Here’s what to do.
Good to know: Being a contributor does not make you financially responsible for your student’s education.
Accept the invitation
Open the email or text invite, or log in to StudentAid.gov and choose “FAFSA Form,” then “Accept an Invitation.”
Use your own account
Log in with your own StudentAid.gov account, not the student’s. Your username and password are your legal signature.
Give consent
Agree to have your federal tax information transferred from the IRS. It’s required, even if you didn’t file taxes or don’t have a Social Security number.
Add your information
Answer the questions about your household and finances.
Sign and submit
Sign and submit your section. That completes the student’s FAFSA so it can be processed.
Six mistakes that slow families down.
Sharing one account
Every person needs their own StudentAid.gov account. Never log in as someone else.
Forgetting Allen’s code
If 003417 isn’t on your FAFSA, Allen won’t receive your information.
Skipping consent
Without consent from the student and every contributor, federal aid eligibility can’t be calculated.
Stopping halfway
The FAFSA isn’t complete until every contributor signs and submits. Check your status after you finish.
Waiting too long
File early. Allen’s priority date is March 15, and aid is awarded in order of completion and need.
Paying for help
The FAFSA is free. File only at StudentAid.gov, and never pay someone to submit it for you.
You did it. Here’s what happens next.
- Watch your email. You’ll receive your FAFSA Submission Summary. Review it for mistakes.
- Allen receives your FAFSA and gives you access to the Financial Aid Portal.
- Send anything we request, such as verification documents, as quickly as you can.
- Get your award letter by email once you’re accepted and your file is complete.