How To Answer Student Residency Information Questions For FAFSA®
Here's how to correctly enter the student's residency information, including legal residence, high school information, and parent's education status.
14. State Of Legal Residence
Your FAFSA will be shared with your state's financial aid agency, who can use the information to help you qualify for state-based grants and financial aid programs.
How To Answer These Questions
- Enter the two letter state code. Find your state letter code here.
- Enter the month and year you became a resident. If you were born in the state and lived there your entire life, enter the month and year of your birthday.
Can I Skip These Questions?
No, they are required.
15. Parent's Education Status
This can help determine if you're considered a first-generation college student.
How To Answer These Questions
Select the box that accurately describes whether your parents attended college. Even if they didn't graduate or earn a degree, if they attended, you check yes.
Can I Skip These Questions?
No, they are required.
16. Parent Killed In Line Of Duty
This question will be used to determine if you're eligible for any financial aid related to your circumstance. Many states offer grants or scholarships if a parent was killed in the line of duty.
How To Answer These Questions
Check "Yes" if your parent or guardian was killed in the line of duty while serving in the armed forces or as a public safety officer. Public safety officer can mean law enforcement, firefighter, chaplain, FEMA, state or local emergency management, civil defense agency, rescue squad, ambulance crew, or others.
Can I Skip These Questions?
No, they are required.
17. Student High School Information
This question determines your eligibility for aid. It's required that you have a high school diploma or equivalent to be eligible for financial aid.
How To Answer These Questions
Select the box that matches your status when after July 1, 2027. If you're a high school senior this year, you'll likely have a diploma or equivalent.
If you answered "High school diploma", you need to enter your school's name and city and state.
If you chose equivalent, select what you received and from which state.
Can I Skip These Questions?
No, they are required.
18. Student Federal Benefits Received
This question determines your eligibility for certain types of financial aid.
How To Answer These Questions
Select any programs you or a family member in your household received.
Can I Skip These Questions?
No, they are required.
2026-27 FAFSA Questions Step-By-Step
Find answers to the other FAFSA questions here:
Student Spouse Information
Parent Information
Parent Financial Information
Parent Spouse Information
FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.