FAFSA application form
Completing The College FAFSA Application Form
Here is what you need to know on how to complete a FAFSA application
form.
Gather the basic financial aid applications documents you will need to
complete your FAFSA form:
- Start with your Social Security Number, driver’s license, income tax
returns, bank statements, and investment records.
- Additional FAFSA information you may need will include the records of
your income earned in the year prior to when you will start school. You
may also need records of your parents' income information if you are a
dependent student.
- For the current school year you will need financial information from
the most recent tax records year available.
Here is your FAFSA Application Checklist:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN). A common mistake that causes FAFSA
application rejection is to enter the wrong SSN. Be sure it is
correct!
- Your driver's license (if any)
- Your most recent tax W-2 Forms and other records of money or
earnings
- Your (and your spouse's, if you are married) most current year Federal
Income Tax Return. This includes; IRS 1040, 1040A or 1040 EZ.
- If you are a dependent college student seeking college financial aid,
you will need your Parents' most current tax year Federal Income Tax
Return
- Your most current tax year untaxed income records, to include: Veterans
benefits records, Child support received and/or Worker's compensation
earnings.
- Your current bank or credit union or financial institution
statements
- Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and
farm records, stock, bond and other investment records
- If you are outside the 50 US states you will need your Foreign Tax
Returns.
- If your are in a US Territory you will need Tax Return for Puerto Rico,
Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the
Federal States of Micronesia, or Palau
- If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need your alien registration or
permanent resident card
FAFSA Form Tips:
- A handy financial aid application tip is to keep these records! You may
need your financial records again.
- Do not mail your records to Federal Student Aid, or at least keep a
copy of your financial information.
- Apply to college as early as possible beginning January 1st of each
year.
- Note that each college and university in all states have their own
FAFSA application deadlines. Click here to find the FAFSA deadlines for each state.
Once you have gathered all this FAFSA application information, you are
ready for the next step for college financial aid, completing the
FAFSA Application Form Worksheet