The FAFSA costs $0
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is free to fill out and submit. You file it at StudentAid.gov. If a website or company asks you to pay to file your FAFSA, it is not the official site. The Federal Trade Commission warns students never to pay someone else to fill it out.
What the FAFSA costs
| Filling out the FAFSA | Free |
|---|---|
| Submitting the FAFSA | Free |
| Official website | StudentAid.gov |
| Paid FAFSA filing services | Not needed. The FTC warns against them. |
Every person who must give information on your form, such as a parent, needs their own free StudentAid.gov account. States, schools and some private groups also use your FAFSA answers to give aid. Sources: Federal Student Aid, Steps for Students Filling Out the FAFSA Form; Federal Trade Commission, It's time to file your FAFSA form.
What this price covers
The FAFSA opens the door to federal grants, work study and federal student loans. Filing it costs nothing, and the word Free is in its name. If someone uses false information on your form, you could get in trouble, which is one more reason to fill it out yourself.
What changes your price
- Where you file. The official site is free. Other sites that charge are not the official form.
- Who fills it out. The FTC says you or your family should fill it out, not a paid service.
Ways to pay less
- Only file at StudentAid.gov.
- Never pay to file. If a site asks for a card number, leave.
- Never share your StudentAid.gov login with anyone.
- File early. Some states and schools give aid first come, first served.
How we got these numbers
Every fee on this page comes from the group that runs the test or sets the fee, taken from its own website. Where we show a total, we only add up that group's own fees so you can see the full amount in one place. We do not add our own guesses, and we do not use prices from test prep blogs. Fees can change, so check the official page before you pay. We last checked on September 26, 2026.
Common questions
Does it cost money to file the FAFSA?
No. It is free.
Is a site that charges for the FAFSA real?
No. The official site, StudentAid.gov, never charges.
Should I pay someone to fill out my FAFSA?
No. The FTC says to fill it out yourself or with a family member.