Embedded Files
One thing you don’t need for the FAFSA® form is money! The FAFSA form is FREE, so if a website asks you to pay to fill it out, you’re not dealing with the official FAFSA site. Remember, this is a government application, so it’s on a .gov website.
Gathering the Documents Needed to Apply for the FAFSA
Gathering the Documents Needed to Apply for the FAFSA
The FAFSA questions ask for information about you (your name, date of birth, address, etc.) and about your financial situation. Depending on your circumstances you might need the following information or documents as you fill out the FAFSA application:
Your Social Security number (it’s important that you enter it correctly on the FAFSA form!)
Your parent(s) Social Security Number(s) if you are a dependent student
If your parent does not have a Social Security Number, you are still eligible to complete the FAFSA
Your driver’s license number if you have one
Your Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen
Federal tax information, tax documents, or tax returns, including IRS W-2 information, for you (and your spouse, if you are married), and for your parent(s) if you are a dependent student:
IRS Form1040
Foreign tax return or IRS Form 1040-NR
Tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau
Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits, for you, and for your parent(s) if you are a dependent student
Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate (but not including the home in which you live); and business and farm assets for you and for your parent/guardians if you are a dependent student
Keep these records! You may need them again. Do not mail these supporting records to us.
What is an FSA ID?
What is an FSA ID?
The FSA ID is a username and password combination you use to log in to U.S. Department of Education (ED) online systems. The FSA ID is your legal signature and shouldn’t be created or used by anyone other than you not even your parent/guardian, your child, a school official, or a loan company representative. You’ll use your FSA ID every year you fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and for the lifetime of your federal student loans.
The FSA ID is tied to your identity, so it can take a few days to be verified.
Who will need to create an FSA ID?
Who will need to create an FSA ID?
Students:
All students who are filing the FAFSA will need an FSA ID
For married students:
Student's spouse (Only if the student and their spouse do not file taxes together)
For dependent students:
For parent(s) and/or stepparent(s) who are required to be listed on the FAFSA
If they file taxes together only one parent/ stepparent will need an FSA ID
If they do not file taxes together (including if they are non-filers) both parents/stepparents will need FSA IDs
For clarification on who must make an FSA ID, use this tool
FSA ID: Parent(s) without SSNs*
FSA ID: Parent(s) without SSNs*
What we know right now:
Every contributor will be required to create an FSA ID
Identity verification will be used for:
Students who are from Freely Associated States
Parent(s) without SSNs
Users without SSNs they will have the option to answer “knowledge-based identity” questions
If successful – FSA ID is authenticated and available to use immediately
A manual documentation process will be available for those who can’t pass “knowledge-based identity” questions
What information we’re waiting for:
What these processes will look like
The types of knowledge-based questions that will be asked
The documents FSA will request to confirm identity
*Students from freely associated states will also need to go through this process to create FSA IDs
Create your FSA ID
Create your FSA ID
What is an FSA ID? Your FSA ID is your username and password that allows you to access and electronically sign your FAFSA. The FSA ID is tied to your identity, so it can take a few days to be verified
Why do you need an FSA ID? Creating an FSA ID is the first step in completing the FAFSA process. Students will not be able to complete their FAFSA until they, and any parent(s)/stepparent(s) providing FAFSA information, have created their FSA ID.
Who should create an FSA ID? Anyone contributing information to your FAFSA form will need an FSA ID. This includes you, and likely your parent(s)/stepparent(s).
How do you create an FSA ID? Create an account at studentaid.gov
What do you need to create an FSA ID?
Students:
Email address *not your MMSD or high school email because you will lose access after graduation! Please use or create a gmail, and/or yahoo! account.
Social Security Number
Ideally, your parent(s)/stepparent(s)!
Parent(s)/Stepparent(s):
Email address
Social Security Number (if applicable)
If your parent(s)/stepparent(s) does NOT have a Social Security Number, there will be a separate process to verify their identity once the FAFSA opens
When should you create your FSA ID? The time is now! Create your FSA ID before the #BetterFAFSA opens. FSA IDs should be completed a week or two before you start th
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