After submitting your FAFSA®, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS), which includes a summary of your FAFSA data, your Student Aid Index (SAI), and an estimate of the federal financial aid you are eligible to receive.

If you need to make a correction to the data you submitted on the FAFSA or the CSS Profile®, log in to each application to submit your corrections.

Due to a routine process called Verification, or if a college simply needs more details, you may be asked to submit additional information or documentation to the financial aid offices. Comply with all requests ASAP.

If your financial situation changes after you submit your applications, send an email explaining your special circumstances and how they will affect your ability to pay for college to each college's financial aid office.

Colleges will review your financial aid applications, and based on your finances and the school's resources and goals, will determine your financial aid offer. You should receive this in March or April.

Carefully review your financial aid offers and make sure you understand the types of aid included. Use our College Cost Calculator to compare your net cost at each school. Attend a MEFA Understanding Financial Aid Offers & Paying the College Bill webinar to help you understand your offers and make your college decision.

Send your admissions deposit to the college you choose to attend by the school's deadline (usually May 1st).

Once you commit to a college or university, you should expect to receive your bill for the fall semester in late June or July. Read our details on paying the college bill to make sure you're prepared for the process.