FAFSA
2026-27 FAFSA is now open
The US Department of Education has begun processing 26-27 FAFSA submissions. As they work through all the applications received, the Department of Education will send a notice to the student’s email used on the FAFSA. We are currently packaging students weekly. Please watch your UWO email account.
What is FAFSA simplification?
The FAFSA Simplification Act is a significant overhaul of federal student aid, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, need analysis, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in the Title IV programs.
What do students need before filling out the FAFSA?
Significant Changes
Contributors
Anyone who is required to add information to a FAFSA application is considered a contributor. For dependent students, this would include a parent (or both), and for independent students, this may include a spouse. Each contributor will be required to have a FSA ID, and consent to sharing their information on the FAFSA.
Direct Data Exchange and Consent
Manual entry of taxes will be a thing of the past! Any person contributing to or completing the FAFSA must now consent to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange which will pull IRS data directly into the FAFSA. Consent is a requirement, and those who do not consent will be ineligible for Federal aid.
Student Aid Index
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number calculated upon completion of the FAFSA. This is replacing the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). An SAI, like an EFC, is used in determining eligibility for federal and state aid. It is anticipated that additional students will qualify for Pell grants due to this change.
Unusual Circumstances
Students requesting a review or appeal of dependency status will now appeal their unusual circumstances. This can include any factor that impacts the ability to provide parent (or contributor) information. Students experiencing unusual circumstances should contact financial aid after filing the FAFSA to discuss any required materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your FAFSA is submitted, but the Department of Education is still working on formulas behind the scenes. You do not need to do anything else. It will update to ‘submitted’ once those formula changes have been made
We process financial aid once a week, depending on when FAFSA information is sent to schools for processing.
Provide information about the parent who provided more financial support during the last 12 months. If both parents provided an exact equal amount of financial support or if they don’t support you financially, provide information for the parent with the greater income or assets.
A parent’s citizenship status doesn’t affect a student’s eligibility for Federal Aid. The parent is still required to submit their earning information on the FAFSA and will need an FSA ID to complete the form and sign.
Here are step by step instructions:
Here are step by step instructions:
Your parent will want to work with Federal Student Aid for a resolution. They can be reached at 1-833-932-3439
Since the FAFSA isn’t ‘official’ yet due to formula changes, your FAFSA is still considered in a “processing” status. You will be able to make edits to it once the Department of Education completes these formula updates.
We don’t have it yet. The Department of Education is updating formulas related to eligibility that has prevented them from sending FAFSA data to schools yet. We anticipate they will begin sending us FAFSA data by mid-March. You can log on to studentaid.gov to see if your FAFSA has been submitted.
If a contributor doesn’t have an active email, one should be created for the purposes of the FAFSA process.
No, currently existing FSA IDs will be used for the new FAFSA; however, additional parents may need to create an FSA if they are required contributors to the FAFSA.
No, you will use the same ID you previously created.
You, and potentially your parent(s), should create an FSA ID now so that you can file the FAFSA as soon as it opens.
As soon as possible! The earlier you file, the sooner you will know your Financial Aid eligibility.
Yes. Previously, this was not required on the FAFSA, but is for the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
When financial aid awards are available for students, you will get an email to your UW-Oshkosh email indicating to view your award through TitanWeb.
Financial Aid Office
UW Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Monday – Friday
Walk-In Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Office Hours: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- fao@uwosh.edu
- (920) 424-3377
- Dempsey Hall, Room 104
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