Understanding Financial Aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 

You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive any federal student aid (i.e., grants, direct loans, and work-study). The FAFSA is also required for the District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) and colleges’ institutional financial aid. Usually, the FAFSA opens on October 1.

Additionally, some colleges may require you to submit the CSS Profile to apply for institutional financial aid. The CSS Profile also opens on October 1. Check with your colleges about any additional applications and deadlines.

Finally, eligible DCPS students should also apply for DCTAG. DCTAG provides up to $10,000 per year toward the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public colleges and up to $2,500 toward tuition at private colleges in the immediate DC region and private HBCUs nationwide. The DCTAG application opens in February.

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More Resources 

• Financial Aid FAQs
• Types of Financial Aid
• “What Is FAFSA?” Video
• Eligibility for Non-U.S. Citizens
• StudentAid.gov Accounts (FSA IDs) Video
• “Who Is a Contributor?” Video
• “Who Counts as a Parent?” Tool
• FAFSA for Noncitizen Parents Video
• Federal Student Aid Estimator
• CSS Profile FAQs
• DCTAG Info for Students and Families
• uAspire College Cost Calculator
• SwiftStudent Financial Aid Appeal Generator