FAFSA Information

The FAFSA Is Now Available!

The “Better FAFSA” is available at StudentAid.gov.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required to determine eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study. NMSU also uses the FAFSA to award state and institutional aid.

Complete the FAFSA every year as early as possible.

Before You Start

Create Your FSA ID

Everyone required to provide information on the FAFSA must have an FSA ID:

  • Student

  • Parent or stepparent (if dependent)

  • Spouse (if applicable)

Creating or resetting an FSA ID can take up to 3 days.

Gather Required Information

The 2026–27 FAFSA requires 2024 tax information
The 2027–28 FAFSA requires 2025 tax information

You may need:

  • Social Security Numbers (student and parent)

  • Alien Registration Card (if applicable)

  • Driver’s license (if applicable)

  • Federal tax returns (IRS 1040 or equivalent)

  • W-2 forms

  • Records of untaxed income

  • Information on cash, savings, investments, business/farm assets

What happens after you submit the FAFSA:

  1. The Department of Education processes your FAFSA.

  2. You will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary.

  3. Your selected schools receive your information.

  4. NMSU will review your file and request additional documents if needed.

  5. Check your myNMSU email regularly for updates.

Submit any requested documents as soon as possible to avoid delays.

Contributors

A contributor is anyone required to provide tax information and consent on your FAFSA. This may include:

  • Student

  • Student’s spouse

  • Biological or adopted parent

  • Stepparent

Not contributors:

  • Grandparents

  • Legal guardians

  • Foster parents

  • Siblings

  • Extended family

*If a required contributor refuses to provide information, the FAFSA will be incomplete and the student will not be eligible for federal aid.

Special Parent Situations

If biological parents are not married:

  • The parent providing the most financial support should complete the FAFSA.

  • If parents are unmarried but living together, both must contribute.

  • If the primary parent is remarried, the stepparent’s income must be included.

Creating Your FSA ID without a Social Security Number (SSN) for Contributors 

Click the below image for a guide with steps for contributors on creating an FSA ID without SSN.

fsa-id-no-ssn.PNG

Direct Data Exchange (DDX)

The FAFSA uses the Direct Data Exchange (DDX) to securely transfer tax information from the IRS.

All required contributors must provide consent and approval, even if:

  • They do not have a Social Security Number

  • They did not file taxes in the U.S.

  • They filed taxes outside the U.S.

If a required contributor does not provide consent, the student will not be eligible for federal student aid even if tax information is entered manually.

Federal tax information will not display on the FAFSA or submission summary.

Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant

The Student Aid Index (SAI) measures financial need and replaces the former Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Pell Grant eligibility is based on:

  • SAI

  • Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)

  • Family size

  • Poverty guidelines

  • Tax filing status

Students with a 0 or negative SAI qualify for the maximum Pell Grant.

Pell awards are prorated based on enrollment intensity (percentage of full-time enrollment).

part-time-chart.png

Application Process


For easy steps to completing the FAFSA, view our FAFSA Walkthrough video.
 FAFSA Video Tutorial


Before you start the FAFSA, you will need to register for an FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID, if you do not already have one.
Start your FAFSA now

NMSU School Codes

NMSU Main Campus 002657
NMSU Alamogordo 002658
NMSU DACC E00876
NMSU Grants 008854

Need Help?

Contact the NMSU Financial Aid Office if you have questions or need assistance completing the FAFSA.