b'44The FAFSA all information is accurate and complete. Withholding Everyone who wants to receive financial aid for college data or providing inaccurate information will jeopardize must fill out the FAFSAthe Free Application foryour ability to receive financial aid.Federal Student Aid. It is your key to receiving grants, Work-Study, loans, and even some scholarships. Dependency Status Many students have questions about how their The U.S. Department of Education uses the FAFSAfamily circumstances affect whether they apply to determine how much you and your family willas a dependent student or independent student be expected to contribute toward your education.when filling out forms for financial aid. For a helpful Pennsylvania uses it to consider you for state flowchart, visit www.studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/grants. Colleges use it to put together your financialfafsa/filling-out/dependency.aid package.The FAFSA Mobile App The FAFSA can seem daunting. Use the information and tips on these two pages to help you navigateThe Office of Federal Student Aid offers an appthe FAFSA. version of the FAFSA application, which allowsapplicants to complete the 2026-2027 FAFSAThe 2026-2027 FAFSA on their mobile phones.Submit the FAFSA as soon as possible. Do not wait.The 2026-2027 FAFSA will become available in October 2025.Students and families will provide tax information from two years prior (i.e., tax filings for 2024 willbe used when filing the 2026-2027 FAFSA).Free Help with Your FAFSAResources for Foster Youth There are a number of ways to get help filing There are special funding opportunities for foster youth your FAFSA: and former foster youth, including:Call 1-800-433-3243 or TTY 1-800-730-8913 to ask The Chafee Education and Training Grant Programa question. offers up to $5,000 for attending eligible colleges.Big Future answers Frequently Asked Questionshttps://pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/other- about the FAFSA at bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ educational-aid/chafee-program.shtmlpay-for-college/get-help-paying-for-college/ The PA Tuition Waiver is a law that requires all fafsa/faq. Pennsylvania-based colleges to waive any remaining Visit www.studentaid.gov/help-center for tuition balance after all grants and scholarships have frequently asked questions and a virtual assistant. been applied. https://www.pheaa.org/partner-access/Learn about free FAFSA filing Help Events inschools/foster-education.shtmlPennsylvania at pheaa.org/college-planning/fafsa/ help-events.shtml.The Lenfest Immensitas Scholars Program providesAvoid any FAFSA assistance that is not free. funding to cover room, board, and some expenses. It is likely a scam. Supports include academic advising, a summer bridge program, housing and meals during school breaks,Accuracy Is Critical financial and money management guidance, andAs you apply for financial aid, there will be many formsa designated liaison at each school. To learn more,to complete which require full disclosure of your familysvisit https://brookjlenfestfoundation.org/#corefinancial information. Families all across the country will be answering the same questions. Make sure that'