Completing the FAFSA

The Student Aid Report

The Student Aid Report (SAR) is a paper or electronic document that gives you some basic information about your eligibility for federal student aid and lists your answers to the questions on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If you provided a valid e-mail address on your FAFSA, you will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to access an online copy of your SAR.

To receive an SAR, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After your FAFSA has been processed, you will receive a PDF of your SAR, which can take at least five (5) business days to receive. The FAFSA Summary Report you receive immediately upon submitting your FAFSA is NOT your SAR.

Note: You will be able to complete the FAFSA starting October 1, of each year, when the application opens online. We highly recommend you fill out your FAFSA as soon as possible to allow enough time for your SAR to be processed. You will not be able to submit your application for consideration of scholarships requiring financial need without it.

Upload a scanned PDF copy of your SAR, which must include your name and an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) number for the current academic year. You are required to upload ALL pages of your SAR.

You may also access a copy of your SAR by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov and clicking on “View and print your Student Aid Report.”

  • Example of the SAR (2.417 MB)
    Please note that you must upload ALL the pages of your current SAR.

Tips for obtaining and processing your SAR

  • File as early as possible and keep copies of all forms submitted.
  • Make sure you follow the instructions regarding obtaining your parents signature as instructed on the website.
  • Read the SAR upon receipt – it will tell you if the government has additional questions. Don’t assume its okay without reading through it.
  • If you have trouble obtaining an SAR, contact your college financial aid office or call the Federal Department of Education at 1.800.433.3243 for assistance.

How do I obtain my Student Aid Report (SAR)?

  • Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.
  • Use your credentials to log in.
  • Make sure the correct school year is selected at the top of the page.
  • Click on View or Print your Student Aid Report (SAR).
  • On the Processed Information page, select View Student Aid Report (PDF) at the top of the page.
  • Next, download a copy of your SAR and save it. Choose a document name and location you will remember so that you may upload it within your Community Foundation application. Click Save.

FAFSA Overview