How to add schools to your FAFSA

You add schools to your FAFSA by entering their six-digit Federal School Code into the "Schools to Attend" section of your form. The FAFSA website has a school search tool that finds the exact code for each college or university you're considering. You can add up to 10 schools on a single FAFSA form, and you can change which schools are listed at any time before you submit — or even after, if you haven't yet received your Student Aid Report.

The order you list schools doesn't matter for federal aid purposes, but it does affect how quickly each school receives your information. Schools receive your FAFSA data in the order you list them, so if you're on a tight timeline with an early decision school, you may want to put it first.

Key Takeaways

  • Every school has a six-digit Federal School Code that you enter into the FAFSA website's school search tool to add it to your form.
  • You can list up to 10 schools on one FAFSA, and you can add, remove, or reorder them anytime before you submit your form.
  • Schools receive your FAFSA information in the order you list them, so prioritize schools with early important date by placing them higher on your list.
  • If you don't know a school's code, the FAFSA website search will find it by school name, city, or state — you do not need to search elsewhere.

Finding your school's Federal School Code

Go to the FAFSA website (fafsa.gov) and use the school search tool in the "Schools to Attend" section. Type in the school's name, the city where it's located, or the state. The search will return a list of matching schools with their six-digit codes displayed next to each name.

If you see multiple schools with similar names — for example, "University of California, Berkeley" and "University of California, Davis" — make sure you select the exact campus you plan to attend. The code is specific to each location. If the school doesn't appear in the search results, double-check the spelling or try searching by city instead of name. Some smaller colleges or trade schools may take a few extra seconds to load in the results.

The step-by-step process for adding schools

Log into your FAFSA account on fafsa.gov. If you don't have an account yet, you'll create one using your email address and a password. Once you're logged in, navigate to the "Schools to Attend" section — this is usually one of the first sections you'll see.

Click the button to add a school (the exact wording varies slightly by year, but it's usually "Add School" or a plus sign). The school search box will appear. Type the school name, city, or state and wait for results to load. When you see your school in the list, click on it. The six-digit code will automatically populate into your form. Repeat this process for each school you want to add, up to a maximum of 10.

After you've added all your schools, review the list to make sure the names and codes are correct. You can reorder them by dragging and dropping, or by using arrow buttons if your browser doesn't support drag-and-drop. When you're satisfied with your list, save your changes before moving to the next section of the FAFSA.

Changing or removing schools after you've added them

You can remove a school from your FAFSA at any time before you submit the form. Find the school in your "Schools to Attend" list and click the remove or delete button next to it (usually an X or trash icon). The school will disappear from your list when ready, and you can add a different one in its place.

If you've already submitted your FAFSA but want to change your school list, you can still do so. Log back into your FAFSA account, make your changes, and resubmit. Your updated form will replace the previous one. Schools you remove after submission will no longer receive your information, but schools you've already sent data to will still have it on file.

What happens after you add schools to your FAFSA

Once you submit your FAFSA, each school on your list will receive your information in the order you listed them. The first school typically receives your data within a few days; schools further down the list may take a week or two. Each school uses your FAFSA information to calculate how much federal aid you may be offered, and they'll send you a financial aid package with their offer.

You don't need to do anything else with the schools on your FAFSA list — they will contact you directly once they've processed your information. If a school doesn't contact you within a reasonable time frame (usually three to four weeks after you submit), you can reach out to their financial aid office to confirm they received your FAFSA data.

Adding schools if you're submitting FAFSA late in the year

If you're submitting your FAFSA after most schools' priority important date have passed, you can still add schools and send them your information. However, be aware that some schools may have already distributed most of their aid funds, which could affect the size of your financial aid package. Adding schools late doesn't prevent you from being considered, but it may change the outcome.

If you're unsure whether a school is still accepting FAFSA submissions, contact their financial aid office directly. They can tell you whether they're still reviewing applications and whether submitting now will affect your aid may be able to access. Some schools accept FAFSA data year-round, while others have firm cutoff dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add more than 10 schools to my FAFSA?

No, the FAFSA form allows a maximum of 10 schools per submission. If you want to send your information to more than 10 schools, you would need to submit a second FAFSA form with a different set of schools. However, most students find that 10 schools is more than sufficient for their needs.

What if I can't find my school in the search results?

Try searching by city or state instead of the school name, or check the spelling carefully. If the school still doesn't appear, it may not be a Title IV-may be able to access institution, meaning it doesn't participate in federal student aid programs. Contact the school's admissions office to confirm whether they accept FAFSA information.

Do I have to list schools in order of preference?

No. The order you list schools doesn't affect your federal aid amount, but it does determine the order in which schools receive your FAFSA data. If you have an early decision important date, placing that school first ensures it receives your information quickly.

Can I change my schools after I submit my FAFSA?

Yes. Log back into your FAFSA account, update your school list, and resubmit. Your new form will replace the old one. Schools you remove will no longer receive updates, but schools you've already sent data to will keep the information they received.

How long does it take for schools to receive my FAFSA after I submit?

The first school on your list typically receives your information within a few days. Schools further down the list may take one to two weeks. You can check the status of your FAFSA submission on fafsa.gov to see which schools have received your data.