The high school class of 2026 filed the FAFSA at a record 59.1% rate, according to the National College Attainment Network.
If you cannot file the FAFSA, or you have decided not to, the good news is you still have real options available. Which ones apply to you will depend entirely on why the FAFSA is off the table, and that’s the part almost nobody explains.
Which Situation Are You In?
There are mainly four different situations that students may find themselves in that could lead them to skipping the FAFSA. Let’s take a look at each situation and the best solutions for each.
| Your Situation | The Short Answer Solution |
|---|---|
| Cannot file due to immigration status | Eligibility for federal and state aid depends on your specific circumstances. Contact the financial aid office to discuss available options. |
| Cannot obtain a parent’s financial information | Contact the financial aid office. Your options depend on why the parent information is unavailable, and the financial aid office can help determine the appropriate next steps. |
| Used up or lost federal eligibility | The options depend on why eligibility was lost. For example, students who become ineligible due to Satisfactory Academic Progress may be able to submit an appeal under their school’s SAP policy. |
| Assuming you will not qualify | File anyway! |
The majority of students who don’t pursue the FAFSA simply don’t believe they would qualify, but you would be surprised to find that your circumstances could meet certain requirements.
You Probably Qualify for More Than You Think
The Trellis Student Financial Wellness Survey found that 49% of students believed they did not qualify for financial aid, and most of them almost certainly would have if they had tried.
- 48% of students who could not readily come up with $500 in an emergency skipped the FAFSA because they assumed they were ineligible
- 41% of students receiving public assistance believed the same thing
Ways to Pay Without a FAFSA
Institutional Payment Plans
A payment plan helps you to spread your tuition costs across the term so that you don’t have to pay it all at once. The policies are set by your individual school, but payment plans in general do not require a credit check or federal form.
Private Education Loans
Students should generally complete the FAFSA and review their federal, state, institutional, and scholarship options before considering a private education loan.
However, private education loan lenders do not require a FAFSA. They instead use their own application and underwriting process to check your creditworthiness. You should note, however, that there are a few things that NASFAA advises you to check with your lender before you sign:
- The interest rate type and if the variable interest rates have a cap
- If simple or compound interest will determine if interest accrues on the principal amount plus any unpaid interest
- If repayment options are available and if unpaid interest gets added to the principal amount
- Any fees beyond interest charged in addition to your principal amount
- Any citizenship requirements, which can vary based on individual lender requirements
A key factor worth noting is that most private lenders require students to have a cosigner due to students’ age and their modest or nonexistent credit history. Your cosigner is legally liable for these funds and will be negatively impacted by any late payments. Also, some loans automatically default or demand full repayment if the cosigner passes away.
According to the Institute for College Access & Success, among students who took out private loans, 11% never completed a FAFSA at all, and 51% of borrowers turned out to qualify for need-based grant aid. This is another reason that students should fill out a FAFSA even if they believe they won’t qualify.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a way for students to receive funding for school that does not need to be paid back. Students may be eligible for institutional scholarships offered by their college, as well as external scholarships offered by employers, community organizations, nonprofit organizations, and private foundations. Most scholarships have required criteria such as a specific GPA, a written essay, and possibly a letter of recommendation.
Whether or not the school’s scholarships require a FAFSA is up to the individual school. P.I.T. does require one for our own scholarship programs.
Ultimately, these scholarships can add up to some significant savings, so even the smallest scholarships are worth applying for. The funding can come from community organizations, employers, nonprofits, and private foundations. Institutional grant aid is roughly half of all grant aid nationally, which is why school-controlled money is worth pursuing directly.
See if there is a financial aid professional at your school that you can speak with one on one for guidance.
If You Cannot File Because of Immigration Status
State tuition and aid policies vary widely across the country, and immigration status can impact them as well. Many students in these situations cannot rely on government support and must instead seek out institutional aid and private scholarships that do not require U.S. citizenship.
Situational Options
There are other ways to pay for your education depending on your personal situation:
| Your Situation | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Employer Tuition Assistance | Employers can provide up to $5,250 per year in education assistance that is excluded from an employee’s taxable income. *Ask HR if this is reimbursement or direct payment |
| Military and Veteran Benefits | Eligible students may use GI Bill benefits, tuition assistance programs, or other military-related educational funding. *These operate under their own separate systems, and schools set their own limits |
| 529 Plans and Family Savings | Families may use college savings plans, personal savings, or educational trusts to cover tuition and related expenses. *Not qualified expenses may face a 10% tax penalty and income tax |
| Merit Aid | Some schools offer merit-based scholarships based on academics, athletics, or talent. *You may have to fill out the FAFSA depending on the school |
Talk to a Financial Aid Advisor Before You Borrow
The majority of your financial aid concerns would be best addressed by speaking with a member in the financial aid office at your school. They will be able to help guide you through your specific situation and introduce you to any scholarships you may be eligible for.
At Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, our financial aid office is always on hand to help. You can reach out to the Director of Financial Aid or any of our dedicated advisors by calling 610-892-1500 or emailing fa@pit.edu.
