2026-2027 FAFSA
- Applicants are able to securely transfer their federal tax information necessary for the eligibility calculation directly from the IRS.
- Applicants can send invitations to contributors (parents or spouse) to complete their portion.
Before Submitting the FAFSA
To complete the FAFSA online, you and all of your contributors will need to create an FSA ID.
It is recommended that you create your FSA ID at least three days before you plan to fill out the FAFSA to ensure data transfer from IRS. You will receive an email confirming when your FSA ID has been successfully processed.
To create your FSA ID, you will need your Social Security Number (SSN) as well as your email address (not a school/college email or a parent’s). To invite your contributors to the FAFSA (parent(s), step-parent, or spouse), you will need to know the SSN, date of birth, and email address for each contributor.
There is not currently a timeline for 2026-27 FAFSA processing. Once processing begins, the College will be sent your FAFSA. From there, the College will be able to process and package your financial aid for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Here are some important things to double check before submitting your FAFSA to ensure timely processing:
- Your SSN and the SSNs of any contributors.
- Your application for admission to Cincinnati State includes your SSN.
- You’ve correctly identified who needs to contribute financial information to your FAFSA (including step-parents, your spouse if you are an independent student, etc.).
- Any school(s) you’re applying to are included on your FAFSA. Cincinnati State’s school code is 010345.
FAFSA FAQs
What is a contributor? Who contributes to my FAFSA?
A contributor is a person who is required to contribute financial information on your FAFSA form. This does not make the contributor financially responsible your education; rather, they are contributing financial information so your aid eligibility can be determined.
For a dependent student, your contributor will be both of your biological or adoptive parents, or one of your parents and their spouse if remarried. For an independent student, your contributor would be your spouse if applicable.
What information will I need to invite a contributor to my FAFSA?
You will need to provide each contributor’s name, date of birth, SSN if applicable, and email address that matches their FSA ID. After you complete your portion of the FAFSA, your contributor will get an email with instructions to complete the FAFSA.
If one of your contributors does not have a SSN, please see FSA’s instructions for filing the FAFSA here.
What if my parents filed their taxes jointly?
If your parents are married and filed taxes jointly, only one parent is required as a contributor and will report financial information for both parents. If your parents are married and filed separately, they would both be considered contributors and would need to individually contribute their tax information on the FAFSA.
What if my parents are no longer married but still live together?
Both of your parents would be your contributors, even if they were never married, divorced, or are separated. They would be required to separately provide their individual financial information on the FAFSA.
My parents are divorced. Who is the contributor on my FAFSA?
If your parents are divorced (or separated and no longer living together), then the parent who provided more financial support over the past 12 months will be your contributor. In the case of child support payments, these would count as financial support from the parent who paid the child support, not the parent who received it.
If your parents provided equal financial support over the past 12 months, then the parent who has the greater income and assets will be your contributor. This parent will fill out the FAFSA form.
My parent who is my contributor is married/remarried. Does my stepparent also need to contribute to my FAFSA?
If your parent and stepparent did not file their taxes jointly, they will both be contributors and individually contribute their financial information. If your parent and stepparent filed their taxes jointly, only your parent will be your contributor and will enter financial information for both of them.
For more information on this topic, visit the Federal Student Aid website.
We are here to help!
The Office of Financial Aid can answer your questions by phone, email, or in-person, as well as assist you with filling out the FAFSA.
Phone and In-Person Hours:
Monday through Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm
Phone: (513) 569-1530
Fax: (513) 569-1469
Email: fam@cincinnatistate.edu