Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

St. Olaf’s FAFSA code is: 002382
Apply online!

What is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA is a free application process used by schools, states, and the federal government to determine financial need. You must complete the application process every year you attend St. Olaf if you plan on receiving any type of financial aid.

The information reported on the FAFSA is used to calculate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC), according to a formula set by Congress. See Need-Based Financial Aid for details.

St. Olaf uses the EFC to determine elibibility for federal, state, and institutional aid.

Where Do I Get a Copy of the FAFSA?

  • You can submit your FAFSA online.

After receiving the FAFSA, the government compiles a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR gives the Office of Financial Aid the information it needs to complete an award package including the EFC. You can access your SAR online once you PIN has been verified by the Social Security Administration (this usually takes
1-3 days). It is a good idea to review the information on the SAR to assure that St. Olaf is using correct information to determine your eligibility for need-based aid.

Remember, to qualify for St. Olaf financial aid, incoming students must complete the CSS/PROFILE in addition to the FAFSA.

How Do I Complete the FAFSA?

While the FAFSA is not a difficult application to complete, it does take time and effort. It will be beneficial for you and your parents to complete your tax returns as early as possible because much of the information on the FAFSA will come from these returns. St. Olaf verifies 100 percent of all FAFSA information, so it is very important to use current and correct information on your application to speed up the application process.

These documents are needed to complete the FAFSA:

  • Tax returns
  • W2s
  • Records of untaxed income
  • Current bank statements
  • Current mortgage information
  • Business and farm records
  • Records of stocks, bonds, and other investments
  • Social Security benefits and retirement and other documents

Along with biographical, financial and personal information, you must indicate you want St. Olaf to receive your FAFSA in order for the school to receive your results.

St. Olaf's FAFSA code is: 002382

If you have specific questions on completing your FAFSA use the FAFSA website maintained by the U.S. Department of Education. It contains all the information you will need to successfully complete your FAFSA.

When Can I Apply?

You can apply for your FAFSA beginning on January 1 of each year. St. Olaf recommends that you complete the FAFSA by
March 1. Submitting your applications after this date may delay the processing of your aid application, and therefore, delay your receipt of a financial aid award from the college.

Important Things to Remember about FAFSA:

  • The FAFSA is free!
  • You are required to complete the FAFSA each year you attend St. Olaf.
  • You may send in your FAFSA beginning January 1 of each year.
  • Priority deadline for the FAFSA is March 1 for incoming first-year students and April 15 for returning students of each year.
  • St. Olaf’s FAFSA code is: 002382
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