What happens if you don't use your FAFSA money?

Your school will apply those funds to tuition and fees first. If there are funds left over, it will send you a check, which you can use for education-related expenses like housing, groceries, bills and more. In some cases, students end up with more money than they need.

What happens to FAFSA you don't use?

What happens to the leftover financial aid money? Well, that depends on you and how you want to handle it. In general, you'll receive a refund. You can then decide whether to send the money back or keep it and use it for future educational expenses.

Can you fill out FAFSA and not use it?

If you don't end up applying or getting accepted to a school, the school can just disregard your FAFSA form. However, you can remove schools at any time to make room for new schools.

What happens to FAFSA money that isn't used?

Grants and Student Loans

Any money left over is paid to you directly for other education expenses. If you get your loan money, but then you realize that you don't need the money after all, you may cancel all or part of your loan within 120 days of receiving it and no interest or fees will be charged.

Do you have to pay FAFSA back if you don't finish?

The type of aid you receive after filling out the FAFSA determines if you need to pay it back. Grants, scholarships, and work-study money don't need to be repaid but have finite funding limits. You will need to repay subsidized, unsubsidized, and Direct Plus Loans.

What If Your College Financial Aid isn’t Enough?

Is FAFSA free money or a loan?

It is not the financial aid itself. However, the FAFSA enables the student to qualify for many types of financial aid from several sources. Some of this money is free money, some must be earned through work, and some must be repaid.

Can you use FAFSA money for anything?

Federal student aid from ED covers such expenses as tuition and fees, housing and food, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid can also help pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care.

How do I return unused FAFSA money?

Contact your school's financial aid office as soon as you know you want to return excess student loan funds. They can provide details on requesting a cancellation or return of your loan money. You'll typically need to submit a written request, or you may need to contact your federal loan servicer on your own.

What happens if you use financial aid money for something else?

In cases where someone misuses their student loan funds for something not education related, there seems to be no legal enforcement, and borrowers can use student loan money any way they choose without fear of prosecution.

Does FAFSA money expire?

The award or amount of money you're offered for each FAFSA application lasts for one academic year, beginning in the fall. You'll need to reapply for FAFSA each year you plan to be in school.

Whose income do I use for FAFSA?

If you're a dependent student, you should complete the FAFSA for the parent who provided more financial support to you. This is a new rule effective with the 2024-2025 FAFSA. In prior years the parent you lived with more, or the custodial parent, would file the FAFSA.

Is FAFSA first come first serve?

Each October, the FAFSA is available for the next school year. It is best to fill it out as early as you can because some aid is first come, first served. When you complete the FAFSA, you'll need to provide personal and tax information.

What can I do with leftover grant money?

Once the fall and spring semesters are complete, you might still have money left over from your Pell Grant that didn't get applied toward your college expenses. If that's the case, your school may issue you a refund of the remaining balance.

Can I use my FAFSA money to buy a car?

Can I use student loans for car payments? No, you can't use student loan funds to make car loan payments. Transportation expenses to get to and from school are an approved expense, but you can't use the loan money to buy a car. You can, however, use student loan funds to pay for gas and vehicle maintenance.

Can I use FAFSA money for groceries?

The Office of Federal Student Aid and most private student lenders state that all student loan funds must be used for one or more of the following education expenses: Tuition and fees. Room and board. Groceries.

Does FAFSA check your spending?

FAFSA doesn't check anything, because it's a form. However, the form does require you to complete some information about your assets, including checking and savings accounts. Whether or not you have a lot of assets can reflect on your ability to pay for college without financial aid.

Why does the FAFSA give no money?

If you did not complete the FAFSA for the academic year when you are seeking aid, you won't receive any. If you did complete the FAFSA, but didn't receive financial aid, confirm that you completed the form for the correct year. Contact your school's financial aid office if the wrong form was completed.

Do you have to pay back FAFSA Pell grant?

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are typically awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree.

What happens if you don't use your Pell Grant?

If your educational expenses are funded by other scholarships, you may be left with leftover Pell Grant funds. This results in a Pell Grant refund.

Do you get more money if you fill out FAFSA early?

Plan to submit your FAFSA form by the earliest due date for your best chance at financial aid. Missing deadlines takes you out of the running for money you could get. Some states and colleges continue to award aid to FAFSA latecomers, but your chances get much slimmer, and the payout is often lower.

How long does it take for FAFSA to give you money?

How long does it take from the time I submit my FAFSA to when I receive my first check? Approximately 8 to 12 weeks after submitting your required documents to the Financial Aid Office.

Is Pell first come first serve?

Unlike some other grants and scholarships, funding for the Pell Grant does not run out over the course of a year. But experts still encourage students to file the FAFSA early, as other financial aid can be first-come, first-served.

Will I get financial aid if my parents make over $200 K?

But you might be surprised to learn that there are no FAFSA income limits to qualify for aid. For example, a family with a household income of hundreds of thousands of dollars could be helped by other factors in the FAFSA formula, including school costs and the number of siblings also attending school.

Will I get financial aid if my parents make over 100k?

The Department of Education doesn't have an official income cutoff to qualify for federal financial aid. So, even if you think your parents' income is too high, it's still worth applying (it's also free to do so).