2023-2024 FAFSA Events
The 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens October 1, 2022.
The 2023-24 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid also opens October 1, 2022. This application is for students who are otherwise not eligible for federal financial aid, including a transgender student who is disqualified for failure to register for the selective service, or noncitizen student who has not yet obtained lawful permanent residency.
Have questions about applying for financial aid? Not sure how to get started?
Join us at one of our virtual events. Financial aid representatives will be available to answer questions about the application process.
Evening FAFSA completion sessions will be offered virtually via Zoom. A link to access the virtual event will be included in your registration confirmation email.
Upcoming FAFSA Completion Nights
Please create your FSA ID prior to the event night. Directions on how to create you FSA ID can be found at the bottom of this page.
Updates coming soon for additional meetings.
- A FSA ID to sign electronically. (This can be created beforehand at fsaid.ed.gov, or at the time of application). Go to fsaid.ed.gov to create your FSA ID.
- Social Security Number. Be sure it is correct!
- Your Alien Registration Number, if you (the student) are not a U.S. citizen.
- Your 2020 & 2021 federal tax returns, W-2’s, and other records of income.
- Banking statements and records of investments (if applicable)
- Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
- List of colleges you would like to attend
If you are a dependent student, you will report yours and your parents’ information. If you are an independent student, you will only report your own information (and, if you are married, your spouse's).
Please visit studentaid.ed.gov for more information. Parents who do not have a Social Security Number must enter 000-00-0000 on the FAFSA.
The FSA ID ― a username and password ― has replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN and must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents. If you do not already have an FSA ID, you can create one when logging in to fafsa.gov.
Important Tips
- Both the student and at least one parent will need to create an FSA ID.
- Only the owner of the FSA ID should create and use the account. Never share your FSA ID.
- Creating an FSA ID in advance of RVC's FAFSA Completion Night will save you at least 20 minutes on the night of the event.
Step 1: Go to fsaid.ed.gov to begin the process.
Step 2: Create a username and password, and enter your e-mail address.
Step 3: Enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, contact information, and challenge questions and answers.
Step 4: If you have a Federal Student Aid PIN, you will be able to enter it and link it to your FSA ID. You can still create an FSA ID if you have forgotten or do not have a PIN.
Step 5: Review your information, and read and accept the terms and conditions.
Step 6: Confirm your e-mail address using the secure code, which will be sent to the e -mail address you entered when you created your FSA ID. Once you verify your e-mail address, you can use it instead of your username to log in to the websites listed above.
You can use your FSA ID to sign a FAFSA right away. Once the Social Security Administration verifies your information in one to three days, or if you have linked your PIN to your FSA ID, you will be able to use your FSA ID to access the websites listed above. For help, visit StudentAid.gov/fsaid.