Most state agencies will use the FAFSA® as the basis for all state aid. However, check with your state agency to see if additional forms are required. In particular, states often run smaller, niche grants (e.g., specifically for foster children, children of fallen state firefighters/police officers, etc.) These kinds of grants often have their own special eligibility requirements, forms, and documentation.
In addition, if you are undocumented, you might not be able to fill out the FAFSA®, but your state might have a specific application for undocumented students. As of September 2020, here were the 10 states with specific state DREAM Acts extending state financial aid to undocumented students:
State | Undocumented Students Application |
California | |
Colorado | Three applications: |
Illinois | |
Maryland | |
Minnesota | Minnesota DREAM Act Application |
New Jersey | |
New Mexico | Contact the financial aid office of each college you're interested in. Unfortunately, although NM has a DREAM Act, there is no one universal application, so each college has their own application process for you to get state aid. |
New York | |
Oklahoma | |
Oregon | Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) |