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Completing the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is being updated for the 2025–26 year and is expected to be available by December 1, 2024. For more information about the recent FAFSA changes, please visit studentaid.gov. [Updated October 7, 2024]

FAFSA Resources

The Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)

The FSA ID is used to login at studentaid.gov where a student can complete their FAFSA, as well as review or complete other financial aid related documents. Student FAFSA filers, as well as one parent of undergraduate students who must report parental data on their FAFSA, need their own unique FSA ID.

  • Carefully follow the instructions when creating or editing your FSA ID.
  • Each FSA ID must be unique; thus, a different email address must be used when each family member creates their own FSA ID.
  • URGENT 1: This is not a place where you want to have a typing error, especially when entering your Name (as it appears on your Social Security Card), Date of Birth and Social Security Number!
  • URGENT 2: No one should ever create an FSA ID for another person (this is clearly stated in the FSA ID instructions)!
  • Additional FSA ID information

Completing the FAFSA

When you are unsure of how to answer a question on the FAFSA, simply click the ? icon and read additional instructions provided for that specific FAFSA question.

    Completing the FAFSA as a Graduate Student

    Whichever academic year you are completing the FAFSA for, please use that year when answering most questions (except for income and tax questions, which are based upon two-year-prior information).

    • Graduate to Graduate: If you are currently a graduate student continuing in a graduate program, you will choose “Graduate” as your year in college and answer “yes” to being in a graduate program. This will qualify you as an independent student.
    • Undergraduate to Graduate in Summer or Fall: If you are currently an undergraduate student who will be entering a graduate program for the year for which you are filling out the FAFSA, you will choose “Graduate” as your year in college and, answer “yes” to being in a graduate program. This will qualify you as an independent student.
    • Undergraduate in Fall to Graduate in Spring: If you are currently an undergraduate student who will be an undergraduate for the upcoming fall semester but entering a graduate program in the spring semester, you will need to complete the FAFSA in the fall but make changes to it prior to spring term.
      • The FAFSA will initially be completed for the fall semester as an undergraduate student, and you will choose “Junior/Senior” as your year in college and answer “no” to being in a graduate program. You may or may not be considered a dependent student, depending upon your situation.
      • Prior to spring semester, you will need to correct your FAFSA by choosing “Graduate” as your year in college and answer “yes” to being in a graduate program. You will be considered an independent student.
    • Other Situations: If none of the above examples match your situation, or you have FAFSA questions, please email finaid@cedarville.edu.

    FAFSA on the Web Worksheet

    The FAFSA on the Web Worksheet (2022–23; 2023–24) is designed to provide a preview of the questions that you may be asked when you complete your online FAFSA. If you wish, you can complete this form and write additional notes to assist you when completing your FAFSA.

    Instructions for using the Online FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval Tool

    Students and parents completing the FAFSA are encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) when completing the FAFSA.

    Note: This tool is built into the Online FAFSA.

    Tax Documents from Cedarville University

    The accounting and finance office provides the following Tax Year Documents to students if they meet the criteria to receive the document:

    These documents contain important information which may be needed to complete the FAFSA and/or an IRS tax return. Additionally, parents of students may also need information from these forms when preparing their own IRS tax return.

    Note: Each Tax Document Section ends with information on which office to contact regarding that particular document.

    Have a question or need help? Contact us!

    • Email
    • Phone: 937-766-7866