The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is used to determine eligibility for various forms of federal financial aid. Federal student aid consists of grants, work-study programs and loans. Grants don’t have to be paid back—it’s free money from the government. Student loans do need to be paid back.

Here’s some important things to keep in mind during FAFSA season:

The New FAFSA

With the , the FAFSA underwent several changes and opened later than in past years, meaning there's less time for students to complete it. Some changes include:

  • Expanded access to Federal Pell Grants
  • Streamlined the FAFSA form
  • New methodology for measuring ability to pay for college

Know the Deadlines

The 2024-25 school year FAFSA application opened December 30, 2023. Deadlines vary by state and college. The priority deadline for Embry‑Riddle is March 1.

Apply Early

Because there is a limited amount of federal aid available, students who complete the FAFSA early are more likely to receive more aid than those who wait. Don’t wait to file! Get it done as soon as possible.

Have Tax Returns Handy

If applicable, both your own and your parents’ 2022 tax returns are required to fill out the FAFSA. The FAFSA form also provides applicants with the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which is a time-saving service that inputs tax information directly from the IRS database and cuts out the manual labor.

Know Your School Codes

Embry‑Riddle’s code is 001479. By adding this code to your FAFSA, the results will be sent directly to the university to determine your financial aid award. If you forget to add a school, it can be added after your application is processed.

Complete the FAFSA!

One of the biggest mistakes students can make is not completing the FAFSA. Even if you don’t think you will qualify for aid, it’s best to complete the application anyway, because you may be surprised by the aid you'll receive. There is no income cap for federal financial aid. All students are encouraged to apply!

Find the FAFSA Application . 

Find Daytona Beach Campus FAFSA Information .

Find Prescott Campus FAFSA Information .

Find ERAU Worldwide FAFSA Information .