What do you need to complete the FAFSA?

To complete the FAFSA, you must have some specific information available. The FAFSA will require information from the student, as well as the student’s parents or guardians. Before heading over to the FAFSA website to file your FAFSA, make sure you have the following documents and information available:

1. FSA ID. Anyone who plans to fill out the FAFSA must have a FSA ID. Parents and students will each need to have a FSA ID. The FSA ID is your electronic signature.

2. Social Security Number

3. Driver’s License Number

4. Most recent income tax return (see the instructions on the FAFSA if the tax return has not been completed). Have your tax returns and other tax documents available. The FAFSA will ask for specific numbers that can be found on your tax documents. Many of the questions will tell you exactly where to find the information, such as the line from your tax return you will need for a particular question. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is available for the 2020-2021 FAFSA. Instead of inputting the information yourself, you may use IRS DRT to retrieve the required tax information the FAFSA requires.

5. Records of untaxed income. If you have any untaxed income, such as child support, interest income, and veterans benefits, you will need to provide this information.

6. Asset information. The FAFSA will ask for information about your assets, including savings and checking account balances, investments, and real estate.

7. List of schools you are interested in attending. If you are applying for admission and want to be considered for financial aid, you will need to list the schools you are considering. Colleges will receive the FAFSA information so they can determine how much financial aid they will offer. You can list up to ten schools on your FAFSA at a time. If you are applying to more colleges, you will be able to add more colleges at a later date.