FAFSA for Immigrant Students: What You Need To Know

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your key to unlocking college financial aid in the US. However, many students, especially first-generation Americans and immigrant families who may be unfamiliar with the US financial aid system, may not fully understand what FAFSA is or how to start the application process.

At Remitly, we prioritize your well-being and progress as you build your future in the US. With this FAFSA guide, we aim to provide clear explanations of federal aid to make the college application process easier and give you clarity on the financial options you have available.

What is FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is a free form that prospective and current US college students fill out for the US government and higher education institutions to determine eligibility for student financial aid, such as:

Grants like the Pell Grant.
Work-study programs.
Federal student loans.
Some state and school-based aid.

FAFSA eligibility requirements

To meet the general FAFSA requirements, you must:

Be either a US citizen or eligible noncitizen.
Have a financial need, as the FAFSA is an application for need-based financial aid. Fortunately, there’s no income cut-off. Several factors are considered, including your family size.
Be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program.
The program must be based at an eligible college or vocational/trade school.

Special considerations for immigrant and mixed-status families

Immigrant and mixed-status families fill out the same FAFSA form as everyone else. However, you may enjoy special considerations.
You can complete the form even if your parents are undocumented.
Use “000-00-0000” for a parent without a Social Security Number.
Never enter false information. Consider asking a counselor or financial aid office for guidance if you’re unsure how to fill out the FAFSA in a way that accurately reflects your situation.

Other important notes about FAFSA

Your criminal record may affect your eligibility for FAFSA.
In some cases, students with intellectual disabilities may qualify for aid through the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work-Study programs.
Students who are homeless or have been in foster care use the same FAFSA form as everyone else, but they may qualify for additional support or special considerations.

Who can fill out the FAFSA?

US citizens, permanent residents, certain non-US citizens, and some undocumented students—including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients—may be eligible to fill out the FAFSA.

US citizens

US citizens may have gained citizenship through:

Birth in the US, also known as “jus soli,” the right of the soil. This happens if you were born in the United States or its territories.
Birth to a US citizen, even if their partner is a foreigner, also known as “jus sanguinis,” the right of blood. You automatically become an American even if you were born abroad.
Naturalization, e.g., having held a green card for the required number of years and met all the requirements to be a US citizen.
Derivation, when children under 18 years automatically become US citizens if their parents are naturalized.
Military service, if found eligible.

It doesn’t matter what route you took to become a citizen—if you are a US citizen and meet the other eligibility requirements, you can fill out the FAFSA form.

Permanent residents

Permanent residents—anyone with a green card—are eligible to fill out the FAFSA. This includes holders of Form I-151 (Alien Registration Receipt Card), I-551 (Permanent Resident Card), or I-551C (Permanent Resident Card).

Non-US citizens

If you’re a non-US citizen, you may also be eligible to fill out the FAFSA if you have one of these specific immigration statuses:

US nationals, including those born from American Samoa or Swains Island.
T visa holders (visa for victims of human trafficking).
Children of a T-1 nonimmigrant visa holder. This visa is for human trafficking victims who are helping US law enforcement to pursue human trafficking cases.
Citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, or Palau. These non-US-citizens have limited eligibility, qualifying for Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and Federal Work-Study.
Refugees, asylees, Cuban-Haitian entrants, parolees, conditional entrants (pre-April 1, 1980), or conditional permanent residents with a valid I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).
“Battered Immigrant-Qualified Aliens” as classified under the Violence Against Women Act. This means that you’ve been abused by your citizen or permanent resident spouse. Your children also qualify for FAFSA.

It’s important to note that not all non-citizens qualify automatically. Some must provide further proof of eligibility.

With the help of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you may need to show that you’re in the US with immigration intent, working towards permanent residency or citizenship.

Undocumented students, including DACA recipients

Undocumented students, including most recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), don’t qualify for federal aid. However, you may be able to access other types of student financial aid, such as state aid, school-based aid, or private scholarships.

Your eligibility for FAFSA as an undocumented student depends on your situation. Check with your high school counselor or college’s or career school’s financial aid office to determine what options are available for you.

Special note for DACA recipients

If you’re a DACA recipient, you can fill out the FAFSA because you have an SSN. However, since you are technically considered undocumented, there are a few things to note:

When answering the citizenship status question, select the option that says you’re neither a US citizen nor an eligible noncitizen. Your spouse’s or parent’s citizenship doesn’t affect your FAFSA application.
While there’s no federal rule on state residency, your state or school may require you to provide a permanent U.S. address to determine eligibility for state or institutional aid.
You must consent to FAFSA to import your federal tax information directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This is a mandatory step.
If you are a dependent student, your parent or spouse must create a StudentAid.gov account and complete their section of your FAFSA form. Fortunately, they don’t need an SSN to fill out the form. They’ll check the box stating that they don’t have an SSN. If they have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), they should fill it in the ITIN field, or otherwise leave it blank.

FAFSA deadlines and what you’ll need to fill out the form

Gather the following documents and information before you start filling out your FAFSA:

Social Security Number (SSN) or Alien Registration Number.
Federal tax returns and IRS Form W-2 (yours and your parents’, if you’re a dependent. Form W-2 is the Wage and Tax Statement, which shows your income from the previous year and how much tax your employer withheld.
Bank statements and records of untaxed income.
An FSA ID (StudentAid.gov account username and password) to sign electronically.

The US Department of Education announces deadlines for FAFSA filing. There’s usually a final date to submit and a corrections deadline.

How to fill out the FAFSA step by step (and common mistakes to avoid)

1. Before you begin

Gather your documents and create a checklist.
Create your FSA ID at StudentAid.gov.

2. Start early

File as soon after October 1 as possible. Some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Take note of the deadlines so you don’t miss them. State and college deadlines can be earlier than federal deadlines.

3. Fill out the FAFSA form carefully

Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import tax info.
Don’t leave blanks. Enter “0” if a question doesn’t apply.
Double-check your name, date of birth, and Social Security Number.
Be sure that your parent(s) or spouse, whichever applies, enter their information in the correct sections. Don’t confuse their information with yours.
List multiple schools (up to 20) to increase your financial aid options.

4. Submit and sign

Sign the form with your FSA ID. Your parent(s) or spouse may be required to sign too.

5. Repeat annually

Filling out the FAFSA is not a one-time task—you need to refile every year to stay eligible for aid.

What to do to remain eligible for FAFSA

To continue receiving financial aid, the basic eligibility criteria we’ve discussed must continue to apply throughout your studies.

Since you need to fill out the FAFSA form annually until you graduate, you’ll also need to maintain satisfactory academic progress to stay eligible. Each school establishes its own criteria for what is considered satisfactory academic progress—it usually means getting good grades, enrolling in the required number of classes, and graduating within the timeframe outlined by your program.

How to regain FAFSA eligibility if you lose it

Don’t worry if you lose eligibility—you can regain it. The table below shows you common reasons students lose FAFSA eligibility,and steps you can take to potentially regain it.

Reason for eligibility loss	How to regain it
Defaulting on a student loan	Pay the debt and be current on all payments.
Poor grades or completing fewer credits than required	Improve your performance. Appeal to your school to revisit the decision that made you ineligible for financial aid. Meet the established academic progress requirements to regain eligibility.
Revoked or expired immigration status for non-citizens	Consult the USCIS to find out about how to reinstate your status or whether it’s possible to adjust your status to become a permanent resident or citizen.
Imprisonment	Find out the specific aid you qualify for in this situation (for example, a Federal Pell Grant).
Accidentally received more money than you were supposed to	Refund the excess funds. You may refund in full or discuss payment in installments.
Convicted of, pled to, or guilty of obtaining financial aid via fraud	Repay the money to the institution that disbursed it (e.g., the US Department of Education).

Getting federal student aid is possible for immigrants

Now that you know how FAFSA works—and how it applies to immigrant and mixed-status families—you’re better prepared to take this exciting step into the world of higher education.

US immigrants can enjoy opportunities like FAFSA—citizens and noncitizens alike are eligible, provided you have financial need, you’re enrolled in a qualifying degree or certificate program, and the program is based at an eligible college or trade school.

Set aside about an hour, gather your documents, and submit your FAFSA early to hopefully unlock thousands of dollars in financial aid to support your college journey. You’ve got this—and we’re cheering you on!

FAQs

What if my financial situation has changed since last year?

You can still apply for FAFSA, but you’ll need to demonstrate the change in your financial situation. You may request a special circumstances review (also known as professional judgment). Provide documents to prove the change, such as employment termination paper, divorce or separation papers, or a death certificate.

Can I get aid if I’m part-time or a returning student?

Yes, so long as you meet all the eligibility requirements—such as maintaining good grades and taking the correct number of credits.What if I miss the FAFSA deadline?

Your options depend on which deadline you missed and what kind of aid you’re hoping to receive. For example, if you missed only your school or state deadline but not the federal one, you can still submit the FAFSA and be considered for aid.

Is FAFSA different from CSS Profile?

While both are financial aid applications, FAFSA and the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) are different. FAFSA is for federal aid, while the CSS Profile helps you access institutional aid awarded by the college itself or other non-federal scholarship programs.