The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps determine what financial aid a college bound student may be eligible to receive from state and federal sources, including MAP and Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. Completing the FAFSA is a graduation requirement in the state of Illinois.  Students/families who do not wish to complete the FAFSA may choose to submit an online nonparticipation waiver in order to meet the graduation requirement. 

The FAFSA form is available online beginning October 1st of each year.  Families will be completing the FAFSA form for the year the student will be attending college. For example, seniors graduating in May 2026 will be completing the 2026/2027 FAFSA. College bound students should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1st to maximize their chances for monetary assistance.

Most colleges require the FAFSA to be completed before a student is considered for any other scholarships offered by the college or university. The FAFSA must be completed online and takes less than one hour to complete.

ECHS hosts a FAFSA completion workshop each October. Families are encouraged to attend the workshop in order to get assistance in completing their FAFSA.  For question about completing the FAFSA, contact the guidance office.

Students and a parent/guardian will first create an fsa ID using this link:

https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

The FAFSA can be completed using this link:

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Students and parents wishing to complete the nonparticipation waiver can do so using the following link (make sure you are completing the waiver for the year the student will be enrolled in college. It may not be available until the spring semester)

https://www.isac.org/home/fafsa/NPF-Instructions.html