About the FASFA Form

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Students (and parents of dependent students) must submit the government FAFSA Form to start the aid process. The FAFSA is used by colleges and agencies to determine eligible aid amounts, include college scholarship and grant award programs.

The FAFSA form will be required for all Federal Student Loans and many scholarships. It is used by colleges to determine your financial aid eligibility.

You must determine your dependent and independent status before completing the FAFSA form:

See dependent vs. independent status: note 1

• Dependent Status:
  both the parent and the student MUST complete the FAFSA form to be eligible for financial aid.
• Independent Status:
  only the student and the spouse, if applicable MUST complete the FAFSA form to be eligible for financial aid.

You may submit the FAFSA form anytime after January 1 in the year you intend to begin school. For example, if you plan to attend school in Fall 2017, you must submit your FAFSA form anytime after January 1, 2017 to about the end of July in order to qualify for financial aid for the academic year coming up.

You should submit your FAFSA form early to meet college financial aid deadlines. The FAFSA form must be completed and renewed each year while you attend school.

Steps in FAFSA Form Submission

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Step 1: Get Your FAFSA ID

The FAFSA ID is your personal identification number that lets your apply, sign your online FAFSA, make corrections and perform any other action with the Department of Education.

The ID will be required for all parties completing the FAFSA form. You will generate your ID when you submit your application.

register your FAFSA ID

 

Step 2: Collect the Required Documents

What will be needed to complete the FAFSA

• your Social Security Number (can be found on Social Security card)
• your driver's license (if any)
• your recent year W-2 Forms and other records of money earned
• your (and your spouse's, if you are married) recent year Federal Income Tax Return - IRS Form 1040,
• 1040A, 1040EZ, foreign tax return, or tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia or Palau
• your parents' recent year Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
• your recent year untaxed income records - Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veterans benefits records
• your most recent bank statements
• your most recent business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records
• your alien registration number or permanent residence card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

 

Step 3: Get School Codes

The results of your FAFSA application will be sent to the schools of your choice. Schools will use the information in determining eligible financial aid.

Have your school codes ready when you are ready to complete your FAFSA online:

find your school codes

 

Step 4: Complete the FAFSA Form Online

You may submit the FAFSA form anytime after January 1 in the year you intend to begin school. For example, if you plan to attend school in Fall 2017, you must submit your FAFSA form anytime after January 1, 2017 to about the end of July in order to qualify for financial aid for the academic year coming up.

 

Step 5: Check Your Deadlines

You should submit online your FAFSA form early to meet college financial aid deadlines. When you have everything ready, use your assigned FAFSA ID to begin submission.

 

Step 6: Making Corrections

• changes to FAFSA form
  to review and make any necessary changes to the FAFSA form: FAFSA web site
  
  or contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center
  at 1-800-433-3243 if your address has changed.
• add additional schools to your SAR
  request duplicate copies to be sent to you from the FAFSA form web site (under "Request Duplicate Student Aid Report")
  

Other FAFSA Form Notes

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Returning studnts seeking financial aid must complete a FAFSA form each year they attend school. Returning students will complete the Renewal FAFSA form — the renewal form updates your previous submitted FAFSA form.

Some colleges may require submission of the FINANCIAL AID PROFILE® form in addition to the FAFSA form:

• link to the collegeboard for information

The PROFILE form is a fee-based form used by select schools to administer their own financial programs.

The PROFILE form requires more complete information not generally covered by the FAFSA form — contact your college institution to determine whether they require the PROFILE form and any other Financial Aid Application forms

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