FAFSA Requirement for Seniors

Beginning with the Class of 2027, Pennsylvania has established a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion requirement for high school seniors.

Students should complete one of the following:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or
Submit the Pennsylvania FAFSA Completion Opt-Out Form

The purpose of this requirement is to make sure students and families are aware of the financial aid opportunities that may be available to support education and training after high school.

What Does My Family Need To Do?

Option 1: Complete the FAFSA
- The FAFSA is the federal application used to determine eligibility for many forms of financial aid, including federal and state grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and federal student loans.
- There is no cost to complete the FAFSA.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA >

Option 2: Submit the FAFSA Opt-Out Form
- Families who choose not to complete the FAFSA may submit the Pennsylvania FAFSA Completion Opt-Out Form.
- A parent or legal guardian may complete the form for a student under age 18. Students who are age 18 or older, or who are legally emancipated, may complete the form themselves.
- Families are not required to provide a reason for choosing to opt out.

Step 1: Complete the Pennsylvania FAFSA Opt-Out Form
Download and complete the Pennsylvania Department of Education FAFSA Opt-Out Form.

FAFSA Opt-Out Form (PDF)

Step 2: Submit the Completed Form to Upper Darby School District
After completing the opt-out form, use the Upper Darby School District FAFSA Opt-Out Submission Form to upload and submit your completed document.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT COMPLETED FAFSA OPT-OUT FORM >

Once the completed form is submitted, Upper Darby School District will record that the student's FAFSA requirement has been satisfied through the opt-out process.

Why Complete the FAFSA?

Completing the FAFSA can help students determine whether they qualify for financial assistance for college, career schools, technical programs, and other eligible postsecondary education and training programs.

FAFSA completion may provide access to:

Federal grants, including the Pell Grant
Pennsylvania State Grants and other state financial aid
Scholarships and financial aid offered by colleges and universities
Federal work-study opportunities
Federal student loans

Completing the FAFSA does not require a student to attend college, accept financial aid, or take out student loans.

Privacy and Financial Information

Financial information submitted through the FAFSA is entered directly into the secure federal FAFSA system.

Upper Darby School District does not receive a family's tax returns, income information, or other financial information entered on the FAFSA.

The District may receive information indicating whether the FAFSA completion requirement has been satisfied, but school staff do not have access to the family's FAFSA financial information.

Important FAFSA Dates

Families are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible because colleges, universities, scholarship programs, and other organizations may have their own financial aid deadlines.

October 1: FAFSA typically becomes available for the following academic year.
May 1: Pennsylvania State Grant FAFSA deadline for many students attending four-year colleges and universities.
August 1: Pennsylvania State Grant FAFSA deadline for qualifying students attending certain two-year, business, trade, technical, and community colleges.