FAFSA

The Illinois State Board of Education is requiring that all students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible to graduate from a public high school in Illinois.  Parents/guardians must create an FSA ID.  This can be done online https://fsaid.ed.gov.  Students are also required to create their own unique FSA ID.  Once the student and parent/guardian have created their FSA ID then you can complete your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Below are step by step instructions to help you with the completion of the FAFSA.  On Wednesday, October 5th the CWCHS Guidance Department will host a FAFSA Completion Night in the high school auditorium from 6:00-8:00 pm.  If you have any questions please contact one of our counselors in the CWCHS Guidance Department.  


  1. Go to https://fsaid.ed.gov and create an FSA ID for you. Your parents will need one as well.
  2. Once you have created your FSA ID, you may go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to begin filling out your FAFSA.
  3. The tabs at the top tell you which section you are on.  You will fill out the demographic information for yourself and then your parents will fill out their demographic information.
  4. When you get to the tax information, you may use the Data Retrieval Tool for the IRS website.  You will type in your information exactly as it appears on your Tax return.  
  5. Once you have completed the FAFSA, you will sign your FAFSA with your FSA ID and your parent will sign it with his/her FSA ID.  Then click on the submit button.  It will take a few days for the FAFSA to be processed.
  6. If you need to make corrections, you have to wait until it is processed.
To fill out your FAFSA, you’ll need the following items from you and your parents:
     - Social Security number
     - Driver’s License number (if applicable)
     - 2020 Federal Tax records, including W2s
     - Records of untaxed income