FAFSA Process

Before Filling out the FAFSA

Documents you Need:

  1. Your Social Security Number and your parents' Social Security numbers, if you are a dependent student
  2. W-2 Forms and other records of money earned (by you and by your parents)
  3. Your 2004 federal income tax return (and that of your spouse, if you are married)
  4. Your parents' 2004 federal income tax return ( if you are a dependent student)
  5. Any foreign tax return or tax return from Puerto Rico
  6. Your 2004 untaxed income records - Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veterans benefits records, for example)
  7. Your current bank statements
  8. Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, and stock, bond, and other investment records.
  9. Your alien registration card, if you are not a U.S. citizen.

FAFSA Worksheet:

The FAFSA worksheet allows students and parents to read and complete the questions before entering the information online. This is a good way to become familiar with the FAFSA and what type of questions will be asked.

Located at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before012.htm

Apply for a PIN number:

A pin number is essentially your electronic signature for the FAFSA online. This is the most efficient and secure way of signing the FAFSA. Students will need a pin to complete the FAFSA form. Applying and receiving a pin can take up to 1 to 3 business days electronically, so it is better to apply sooner than later.

Apply for a PIN at: http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp

Filling out the FAFSA

Once students and parents have completed the above steps they can begin to Fill out the FAFSA electronically at:

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/complete001.htm