10-Step FAFSA Check List
Students must submit their FAFSA application every year to continue receiving their eligible federal and state aid. Whether you are a new or returning student, our team has created this 10-Step FAFSA Check List as a guide to help make sure you follow the steps needed to have your FAFSA aid processed and posted in a timely manner. Feel free to save this page on your browser of choice or print it off to use as a check-list as you complete each step!
In addition to our 10-Step FAFSA Check List, we have also posted several helpful FAFSA training videos on our website to help you get started!
Remember: The federal government never charges you to complete your FAFSA. Be wary of scams!
Step 1
Before the FAFSA releases, make sure you and/or your parents have access to all relevant 1040 Tax Return forms. The FAFSA uses prior-prior year tax information to determine financial aid eligibility. For example, the 2025-2026 FAFSA pulls 2023 tax information. When completing the FAFSA, all contributors must provide consent and approval for the U.S. Department of Education to obtain their federal tax information from the IRS and include it with the FAFSA form.
Note: If after submitting your FAFSA our office requests additional documentation from you (see Step 5), and you do not have copies of the requested 1040 forms, you can request a tax return transcript from the IRS.
Step 2
If you do not already have a FSA ID account on studentaid.gov, create one now. All parents who must complete the FAFSA with their students must create an account as well. Creating your account early makes it easier to start your FAFSA application once it becomes available every October.
Step 3
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)) as soon as it becomes available online at studentaid.gov. In general, the FAFSA becomes available each year by October 1st.
Step 4
Once all parties (student and/or parents) have completed their portion(s) of the FAFSA Application, the student will receive an email notification from studentaid.gov stating that their application has been submitted. Shortly after, students will receive another email that states the student's FAFSA has been processed. Once processed, all schools listed on your FAFSA should receive your FAFSA within 7-14 business days.
While waiting to hear back from selected colleges about the status of your FAFSA, please make sure to check your FAFSA Submission Summary by logging into your account on studentaid.gov to view your submitted FAFSA and make any necessary changes.
Step 5
Access 'Eagle' in your Tech Express Portal to check for additional FAFSA requirements. Once in Eagle Online, under the Financial Aid - Eligibility link, you can view any requests for additional information such as verification forms, marriage certificates, W-2 forms, etc. that the Financial Aid Office needs from you to successfully process your FAFSA application. When you receive requirements, please submit the requested documents promptly so our office can process your application by the earliest allowable date. You can submit documentation through FA Documentation Upload in Eagle Online, by emailing digital copies with appropriate signatures to financialaid@tntech.edu, or by bringing them to our office in Jere Whitson, Room 301.
To access FA Documentation Upload, log-in to Tech Express, click the 'Eagle' icon, and then select Financial Aid - FA Documentation Upload.
Step 6
Once you receive an email from us that states your FAFSA aid offers have posted, log-in to your Eagle account on Tech Express, select Financial Aid - Award - Award for Aid Year, and then input the correct aid year to view and/or accept or decline your offers. Free money, such as the Federal Pell Grant and HOPE Scholarship, do not have to be manually accepted for them to post.
Step 7
If you are a first-time student loan borrower, you will need to complete First-Time Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) by logging into studentaid.gov with your FSA ID. Your student loans, even if accepted, will NOT pay towards your balance until you complete Entrance Counseling and sign your MPN.
With federal student loans, please remember that:
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There is a small origination fee, which can change each October 1st, that reduces the amount paid based on the current origination fee.
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All loans accepted for a school year (Fall and Spring) are split in half, with the first half paying out at the start of the Fall term and the second paying out at the start of the Spring term.
Step 8
Sometimes, even after a student has been awarded, they may receive additional requirements that the Office of Financial Aid must receive before they can post aid to a student's balance. Therefore, continue to check your email account for updates concerning your financial aid status.
One of these requirements may be FAFSA Verification, a process by which the federal government randomly asks students and their parents for some additional information to check the accuracy of FAFSA information. If you are placed on FAFSA verification, you will need to complete the verification requirements before your federal aid can post. To learn more, visit our Complete a FAFSA webpage.
Step 9
If you have any questions about documents requested via Eagle Online, email financialaid@tntech.edu. Time is important. When in contact with Tennessee Tech, make sure to have your Tech ID (T#) and the document(s) on your computer screen or a copy of the document you have questions about in front of you when you call so you can better explain your question to those you are calling. The more prepared you are, the faster we can help answer your questions!
Step 10
Attend the Student Orientation, Advisement, & Registration (SOAR) Program. Our office is readily available during orientation, so you can meet with us if you have any additional questions about your aid and paying your balance!
Questions? Reach Out to Us!
If you have any questions about paying for college, the FAFSA, or any of the above 10 Steps, please feel free to reach out to us at financialaid@tntech.edu so we can can help you!