Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance
A Program of the Board of Regents

What is the FAFSA® form? 

The FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form is the application for federal student aid, including the Pell Grant, federal student loans, and work-study. LOSFA also uses the FAFSA® as the application for some state financial aid programs, such as GO Grant. The FAFSA® can also be used as one of two options to apply for TOPS. Completing the FAFSA® form is no longer a requirement for high school graduation in Louisiana.

View LOSFA’s FAFSA® Guide

I only want to apply for TOPS. Do I still need to submit the FAFSA®?  

No, you may choose to complete the TOPS Online Application only. The TOPS Online Application allows you to apply ONLY for TOPS/TOPS Tech and not other forms of federal or state aid.

Click on the link below to compare the two TOPS Application options. 

Applying for TOPS

Register for an FSA ID

Students and parents MUST create an FSA ID before completing the FAFSA® form.

You will have to wait 1-3 days for your information to be confirmed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) before you can use your FSA ID to complete the 2025-26 FAFSA® form.

Register for an FSA ID
FSA ID Worksheet

Reasons to complete the FAFSA® 

Even though the FAFSA® is no longer a requirement for high school graduation in Louisiana, there are still reasons to complete the FAFSA® form:

  1. The  FAFSA® is needed to access federal student aid including the Pell Grant, federal student loans, and federal work-study. 
  2. It can help pay for college or career school: Students leave millions of dollars in Pell Grant funding on the table each year when they don’t complete the FAFSA®.
  3. The  FAFSA® can also be used to apply for some state aid programs in Louisiana such as the GO Grant. The FAFSA® serves as one of two ways to apply for TOPS.
  4. Many colleges also require the FAFSA® for the student to be considered for institutional aid.
  5. The 2026-27 FAFSA® form is currently open. The 2027-28 FAFSA® form will become available on October 1, 2026. You must submit a FAFSA® form for each school year to maximize the amount and types of aid you could receive.
  6. The form is simpler, with past issues resolved, and takes as little as 10 minutes to fill out.
Complete Your FAFSA®
Renew Your FAFSA®
FAFSA® Guide
  • What will I need to file the 2026-27 FAFSA®?
    • You will not be able to access the FAFSA® if you do not have an FSA ID.
    • Your social security number (SSN), and/or alien registration number.
    • 2024 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned.
    • Your parents’ 2024 income tax returns, W-2 forms and 1040 forms if you are a dependent student. If you or your parents have not completed 2024 taxes yet, you can estimate the income and other tax return information, and then correct your application after the taxes have been filed.
  • What will I need to file the 2027-28 FAFSA®?
    • You will not be able to access the FAFSA® if you do not have an FSA ID.
    • Your social security number (SSN), and/or alien registration number.
    • 2025 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned.
    • Your parents’ 2025 income tax returns, W-2 forms and 1040 forms if you are a dependent student. If you or your parents have not completed 2025 taxes yet, you can estimate the income and other tax return information, and then correct your application after the taxes have been filed.

I won’t qualify for aid. Do I still need to submit the FAFSA®?  

The FAFSA® considers factors outside of income, which means there’s a possibility that you may qualify for federal student aid. Also, the FAFSA® serves as the application for federal work-study funds, federal student loans, and even scholarships and grants offered by your state, school, or private organization. If you want to get the most financial aid possible, you should consider completing the FAFSA®.   

Use the Pell Grant look-up tables below to help determine if you may be eligible for a maximum or minimum grant. You may also use the Federal Student Aid Estimator tool to see how much federal aid you may be eligible to receive. 

Pell Grant Look-Up Tables

Get FAFSA® Help from LOSFA

Register for Virtual Office Hours to receive one-on-one assistance with completing the FAFSA® or setting up an FSA ID.

Register for Virtual Office Hours
Email
Register for in-person FAFSA® Assistance

Get FAFSA® Help from Federal Student Aid  

The Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) is available to assist students and parents with FAFSA® and FSA ID-related questions via phone, email, and chatbot.   

Contact FSAIC
Phone

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern time (ET) 

Tuesday–Wednesday: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. (ET)

Thursday–Friday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (ET) 

Saturday–Sunday: Closed 

Closed on federal holidays.