How to answer FAFSA® student education questions
Here’s a guide for how to correctly enter information about your high school, plus any federal benefits you may have gotten.
Student high school information
Why do they need this info?
The FAFSA® asks if you completed a high school-level education because you need to have a high school diploma or equivalent (like a GED certificate) to be eligible for financial aid.
Can I skip these questions?
No
How to answer these questions
- Select your completion status. Provide details about your high school if you choose “High school diploma”.
- If you answer “State-recognized high school equivalent” for your status, select your certificate or credential type and enter the issuing state.
17 Student High School Information
High school completion status when the student begins the 2025-26 school year
- High school diploma
- State-recognized high school equivalent
- Homeschooled
- None of the previous
If the answer is “High school diploma,” provide the name, city, and state of high school.
- High school name
- City
- State
If the answer is “State-recognized high school equivalent,” which of the following did or will the student receive?
- GED
- HiSET
- TASC
- Other
Issuing state
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Federal benefits received
Why do they need this info?
You could qualify for certain types of federal financial aid that are available for students who received federal or state assistance benefits. That’s more free money for college!
Can I skip this question?
No
How to answer these questions
- Select the programs you or a family member received benefits from, or check “None of these apply”.
- The TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program may be known under a different name in your state. Call 800-433-3243 to make sure you have the correct name.
What else you should know
- Answering these questions will not reduce your eligibility for student aid or federal assistance programs.
Federal Benefits Received
At any time during 2023 or 2024, did the student or anyone in their family receive benefits from any of the following federal programs?
Select all that apply.
- Earned income tax credit
- Federal housing assistance
- Free or reduced-price school lunch
- Medicaid
- Refundable credit for coverage under a qualified health plan (QHP)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- None of these apply.
2025-26 FAFSA® questions
Choose the FAFSA® questions you would like help with.
Student financial information
FAFSA® student income tax information
