Tips for Filling Out the 2024-2025 FAFSA

PREPARE (October – December)

Before starting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for first time applicants:

  • Create an FSA ID. A username and password is required to start the FAFSA and to sign the application at the end. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents.
  • For dependent students, an FSA ID will be required for the student and at least one parent, but two parents may need a log-in if your parents file a separate tax return
  • Please view this guide to help you determine which parent(s) are identified as a contributor to your FAFSA form and will need to provide their information and create an FSA ID
  • Parents who do not have a Social Security Number will be able to create an online FSA ID in late December 2023

Download this PDFs for additional information: 

You may need to gather the following information for student and parent(s):

  • Social Security Number
  • 2022 Tax returns and W-2 forms
  • Records of child support received
  • Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
  • Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms

FILE (2024-2025 FAFSA available by December 31, 2023)

Note these important dates:

Review these tips while filling out the FAFSA:

  • Name and Social Security Number: Verify that your legal name, social security number and permanent mailing address is correct 
  • Provide Consent and Approval or be Ineligible for Federal Student Aid: Clicking “approve” allows for your tax information to be shared directly from the IRS.  Make sure to click approve even if you did not file a federal tax return or have any income from 2022 or you will not be eligible for aid!
  • Grade level: Entering first-year students, indicate First Year (freshman), even if you have college units earned while in high school. Transfer students, estimate your grade level at Pacific, counting transferable units only.
  • First bachelor's degree before starting the 2024-2025 school year? If you will not have a four-year college degree (Bachelor’s) when you enter Pacific, indicate No. 
  • Parent Education Status: Answer for the parent(s) whose income information will be reported on the FAFSA
  • Federal school code: University of the Pacific's School Code is 001329.
  • Review your application then sign: Make sure that all the information you provided is correct before electronically signing your FAFSA.  Any contributors who need to approve for their income and information to be provided on your FAFSA will be invited via email to log-in and complete their section.

COMPLETE YOUR FILE (January – February)

Verification is a process in which the U.S. Department of Education requires schools to collect documents to verify the information submitted by you and/or your parent(s) on the FAFSA. Schools are prohibited from awarding/disbursing financial aid until the verification process is completed by the Office of Financial Aid.

  • It is important to not submit any documentation unless requested to do so by the Office of Financial Aid.
  • If selected, the Office of Financial Aid will send you a link to create an account through our Pacific Forms secure website, where you and/or your parent can submit and electronically sign your verification documents.
  • Monitor your student email account for communications from the Office of Financial Aid.

FOLLOW UP (May – July)

Check your requirements:

  • Have all of the requirements listed under the Financial Aid section of your MyPacific been resolved (i.e. "signed off") with an "R" status? Aid is estimated until all requirements have been resolved/signed off.

Review your aid offer and determine if you need to accept any federal loans:

  • You can view your aid offer here.

If you will accept any Federal Direct Loans:

  • Accept your loan funds through MyPacific and then complete both the Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note on the Federal Student Aid website.

If you have been awarded a Cal Grant:

If your parent(s) wants to apply for the Federal PLUS Loan:

RENEW (for continuing students only, January 2024)

A note on grade level:

  • Continuing Pacific students should indicate their projected grade level for the following academic year (i.e., counting in courses that will be completed at the end of spring). 

Complete your file (only if selected for verification):

Verification is a process in which the U.S. Department of Education requires schools to collect documents to verify the information submitted by you and/or your parent(s) on the FAFSA. Schools are prohibited from awarding/disbursing financial aid until the verification process is completed by the Office of Financial Aid.

  • It is important to not submit any documentation unless requested to do so by the Office of Financial Aid.
  • If selected, the Office of Financial Aid will send you a link to create an account through our Pacific Forms secure website, where you and/or your parent can submit and electronically sign your verification documents.
  • Monitor your student email account for communications from the Office of Financial Aid.

A note for California students: 

  • If you did not receive a Cal Grant last year and are applying for one this year, completion of a FASFA and GPA verification must be completed by March 2.  
  • Students with more than 24 units earned at Pacific: Request from the Office of the Registrar.
  • Students with less than 24 units earned at Pacific: Request from high school or prior college.