Complete the FAFSA

About This Step

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is the most important step to pay for college. 

Students who verify they completed the FAFSA during their senior year will earn an entry into monthly BigFuture scholarship drawings for $500 and $40,000. Students have until the winter of their senior year to confirm that they completed this step. Keep in mind that states and colleges have separate deadlines for FAFSA completion.

How to Qualify

1. Take action to unlock financial aid:
   • Submit the FAFSA. Watch for your FAFSA Submission Summary by email or mail.
   • Alternatively, submit your state’s financial aid form. (Check here or talk to your counselor to see if your state has a state aid form you can submit.)
2. Log in to BigFuture. On the dashboard, confirm your qualifications for the drawing.
   • Confirm that you completed the FAFSA, submitted a state aid form, or are legally ineligible to submit both the FAFSA and a state aid form.
   • After confirming that any of these apply to you, you’ll be automatically entered into monthly drawings for $500 and $40,000 scholarships unless you opt out of participation.

Dates and Deadlines

Scholarships for $500 and $40,000 are awarded monthly until winter of your senior year.Completing any step enters you in the drawings on the first day of every month. 

Class of 2026 Deadline to Complete This Step: Saturday, February 28, 2026

Class of 2027 Deadline to Complete This Step: Monday, November 30, 2026 

Class of 2028 Deadline to Complete This Step: Tuesday, November 30, 2027

Increase Your Chances

Students whose families earn less than $60,000 a year have double the chances of winning a scholarship with two entries earned per step completed. Half of all awards are reserved for students who meet this income criterion.