Student Financial Aid

Resources For Filling Out FAFSA

Filling out financial aid applications isn’t exactly fun, but it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming or challenging as anticipated. Before you sit down to begin the application process, we encourage you to take a moment and review this FAFSA checklist.

In preparation for filling out FAFSA, it’s important to get acquainted with the following:

  1. What is FAFSA
  2. How to fill out FAFSA
  3. Filling Out FAFSA On Your Phone
  4. Complete the FAFSA form here

Materials You Will Need For FAFSA

Filling out FAFSA is time-consuming, however, proper preparation can expedite the process. Make sure to have the following information, if applicable, ready and on hand when you start filling out FAFSA.

  • Social security card
  • Driver’s license (and/or alien registration card if you are not a U.S. citizen)
  • Your most recent federal income tax returns (if you don’t have the current year’s tax returns you can use the previous year’s tax returns)
  • W-2s
  • Any other records of money earned
  • Parents’ income tax return, W-2 forms, and 1040 forms (IF YOU ARE A DEPENDENT)
  • Records and documentation of any other nontaxable income received, including:
    • Welfare benefits
    • Social Security income
    • Veteran’s benefits
    • Clergy allowance
  • Additional applicable financial info, including:
    • Taxable work-study
    • Assistant-ships
    • Fellowships
    • Grants
    • Scholarship aid reported to the IRS
    • Combat pay or special combat pay and cooperative education program earnings
  • Records of any additional nontaxable income, including:
    • Child support received
    • Veteran’s non-education benefits
    • Money received or paid on your behalf, etc.
  • Current bank and brokerage account statements, including:
    • Records of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments (if applicable)
  • Business or investment farm records (if need be)
  • Records relating to any unusual family financial circumstances including:
    • Anything that changed from last year or anything that distinguishes the family from the typical family in terms of unusual marital situations, living situations, separations, etc.
    • Examples include: high unreimbursed medical and/or dental expenses, unusually high dependent care costs (e.g., for a special needs child or an elderly parent), death, divorce, salary reductions, job loss, and private K-12 tuition
  • Title IV Institution Codes for each school you are applying to
    • You can get this code from the school (some have them listed on their websites) or you can use FinAid’s Title IV School Code Database.
  • FSA ID to sign the form (when filling out and submitting your FAFSA electronically)
  • If you are applying as a dependent (you are a dependent unless declared otherwise) one parent is required to sign as well
    • To electronically fill out your FAFSA online, your parent should also apply for a FAFSA ID at the same site
  • If you are a male age 25 or younger, you have to be enrolled with Selective Service System
  • Complete the FAFSA form here

Helpful Tips

  • FAFSA is available on October 1 and must be submitted by June 30, 2022
  • When filling out FAFSA, make sure you have all the necessary information (social security card, driver’s license, W-2s, etc.) on hand
  • Save copies of your FAFSA after completing the application and keep them in a safe place