FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the first step for students to apply for financial aid of all types. FAFSA is administered by the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office. The FAFSA is available at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa starting in December for the upcoming school year. For help completing the FAFSA, contact your school’s financial aid office. The FAFSA is free; you should never pay to complete or submit your FAFSA.