Completing the FAFSA is an easy process. The forms are very
similar to income tax forms and require much of the same information.
It is easier to complete the FAFSA after you have completed
your income tax return.
| The
following materials are needed to complete the FAFSA: |
| • |
Student’s
driver license |
| • |
Social security
card |
| • |
W-2 Forms
and other records of money earned (usually from the
previous year) |
| • |
Previous
years U.S. income tax return (IRS Form 1040, 1040A,
or 1040EZ) |
| • |
Records of
untaxed income, such as Social Security benefits, AFDC
or ADC, child support, welfare, pensions, military subsistence
allowances, and veterans benefits |
| • |
Current bank
statements |
| • |
Current mortgage
information (if applicable) |
| • |
Business
and/or farm records (if applicable) |
| • |
Records of
stocks, bonds, mutual funds, CDs, and other investments
(if applicable) |
| • |
Medical and/or
dental expenses during the past year not covered by
medical insurance |
Read the instructions carefully when completing the FAFSA
or the Renewal FAFSA. Pay special attention to any questions
regarding income, since most errors occur in this area. You
should save all of your records and materials used in completing
the FAFSA in which you may need them later to verify the information
that was reported on the application. The process of proving
that your information is correct is called verification. If
you cannot or do not provide the document(s) requested for
verification, you will not receive aid from the Student Financial
Aid Program (SFA), and you may not receive aid from other
sources (i.e. state education agencies, institutional, etc.).
You should make a photocopy of your completed FAFSA (or print
out a copy of your FAFSA Express or FAFSA on the Web application)
before you submit it, for your own records.
Tips
When starting the application process, there are several
tips you and your parents should consider: |
| • |
Reading
all the instructions, if needed - twice before you start. |
| •
|
Making a
practice worksheet. |
| •
|
Using a pencil
on your practice worksheet so you can easily change
your answers. |
| •
|
Copying your
answers neatly and carefully on to the original form. |
| •
|
Answering
every question. Follow the instructions on what to do
if a question does not apply to you. |
| •
|
Printing
legible. |
| •
|
Giving accurate
information. |
| •
|
Double-checking
your answers to make sure they are complete and accurate.
Be sure you have provided the necessary signatures electronically
or on paper. |
Need Help
If you have any questions or problems with completing the
FAFSA, help is available. Making errors can cause delays in
processing your application.
| You should consider the
following FREE resources for help: |
| • |
High school guidance counselors |
| • |
Financial Aid Administrators
Most financial aid administrators at nearby colleges
or universities can assist you and your parents with
filling out the FAFSA, depending on their availability
and workload. |
| • |
Federal Student Aid Information Center
(FSAIC)
For information on any federal student financial aid
programs or assistance in completing the FAFSA, you
can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center
at 800-4-FED-AID (800-433-3243) or 800-730-8913 (TTY)
for the hearing impaired. |
| • |
U.S. Department of Education Web Sites
There are several web sites by the U.S. Department of
Education than can assist you and your parents with
completing the FAFSA. Visit the following web sites:
• Help
completing the FAFSA
• Student
aid home page
• Government
Services (Including Education) available to students |
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