Tips for filling out the FAFSA
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Creating the FSA ID:
Creating the FSA ID:
Before diving into the FAFSA journey, every contributing member must secure their FSA ID. This ID serves as your personalized signature, crucial for the FAFSA application process.
Who needs an FSA ID:
Student
Parent 1- if parents of student are married and filed a joint tax return for the previous year then only one parent needs to create an account.
or
If a parent is divorced then only the one who provides the most financial support needs to create the account.
Both Parents: if parents are married but file taxes married but separate then both parents have to create an account.
Steps to Get Your FSA ID:
Visit the Website: Head to studentaid.gov to begin. Click on FAFSA Button at the top of this page to be sent directly to the website.
Create Your Account: If you don’t have an account yet, start by creating one.
Retrieve Existing Account: If you’ve previously filled out a FAFSA for college for yourself or another student, recover that account. You CANNOT make a new one!
Need Help?: Reach out to your GEAR Up Counselor for assistance if you’re facing any challenges in this process.
Verification Process:
Once the student and parent/guardian have your FSA IDs ready, it’s time for verification. The Social Security Administration usually takes about 3 business days to complete this step. The only thing you do during this time is wait for the verification to be complete.
Ready, Set, FAFSA!
After verification, if it’s past October 1st, you’re all set to complete your FAFSA. Get started on your journey towards financial aid for college!
For more in depth information on how to create FSA ID watch the video.
Quick Tip
It doesn't matter who starts the FAFSA application (student or parent) but once someone starts it, then it needs to be completed up to the invitation part, you will invite the other person, whether it be the parent inviting the student or the student inviting the parent. If you don't then the person you want to invite will not be allowed to access the FAFA until you do send them the invitation.
Filling out the student portion of the FAFSA
Filling out the student portion of the FAFSA
Sign In and Begin the Form: Log into your FAFSA account using your student FSA ID. If it's your first time, start a new form. If your parent has already begun their section, access the existing form.
Student Information: Fill out your demographic details accurately. Include your name, address, date of birth, and other relevant information.
School Selection: List up to 20 schools you're considering, even if you're unsure. This ensures they receive your FAFSA information for financial aid processing.
Dependency Status: Answer the dependency status question truthfully. Generally, if you're an undergraduate student, you're considered a dependent and will need your parents' financial information. (If you have an unusual circumstance come see me in order to distinguish next steps.
Parent Information: If required, provide your parent's demographic details. This includes their full legal name, date of birth, social security number, and email address. If parents are married and file taxes separately, you'll need information for each.
Review and Invite Parent: Double-check all entered information for accuracy. If your parent needs to complete their section, send them an invitation by providing the necessary details. Ensure they understand the importance of timely completion.
Follow-Up: If your parent is yet to complete their section, gently remind them and ensure they understand the urgency.
Sign and Submit: Once all sections are complete and accurate, sign and submit your FAFSA form. This officially sends your application for federal student aid.
Remember, attention to detail and timely completion are crucial for a smooth FAFSA process. If you encounter any issues or have questions, seek assistance promptly.
Filling out the parent portion of the FAFSA.
Filling out the parent portion of the FAFSA.
When you enter the parent section of the FAFSA form, you will verify your own information on the first page. If you need to update your personal information that is listed, you’ll need to access your Account Settings on StudentAid.gov.
After verifying your personal information, you’ll be asked to provide consent and approval for the transfer of federal tax information directly from the IRS into the FAFSA form. Consent and approval are required for your child to be eligible for federal student aid.
Providing consent and approval does not make you financially responsible for your child’s education costs. However, if you choose to take out a parent PLUS loan to help with your child’s education, you will take on financial responsibility for that loan after signing your Master Promissory Note.
The “Parent Demographics” section is where you’ll provide your own demographic information. This includes your marital status and your state of legal residence.
When selecting your marital status in this section, you should follow this guide:
Not currently married—select “Single (Never Married)”
Currently married—select “Married (not Separated)”
Divorced or separated but currently living together—select “Unmarried and both legal parents living together”
Divorced and not currently living together—select “Divorced”
Separated and not currently living together—select “Separated”
Divorced or separated from your child’s other legal parent but remarried—select “Remarried”
Your response to the marital status question, as well as your tax filing status in the next section, will determine whether additional contributors are needed. If you’re married, divorced, separated, or remarried, your child’s other parent and/or your current spouse may need to participate on your child’s FAFSA form.
While providing consent and approval allows for the transfer of your federal tax information directly from the IRS into the FAFSA form, there is additional information you’ll need to provide about your financials. For the 2024–25 FAFSA form, your answers should reflect your 2022 tax return.
The required information includes
federal benefits you or anyone in your family received;
your tax filing status and whether you filed jointly with your spouse;
your family size and whether it’s changed since filing your 2022 tax return;
how many people in your family will be in college between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025;
if you received Earned Income Credit;
the dollar amount of college grants, scholarships, or AmeriCorps benefits reported as income to the IRS;
the dollar amount of Foreign Earned Income Exclusion;
child support received;
the total of your cash, checking, and savings accounts;
the net worth of your businesses and investment farms; and
the net worth of your investments, including real estate.
You may be asked to provide additional information about your 2022 tax return manually. If this is the case, understand where to find the requested information on your 2022 IRS Form 1040.
After completing the parent sections of the FAFSA form, you’ll have the chance to review all your answers and the information you provided. If you notice any errors, make sure you correct them before selecting “Continue.”
You’ll be taken to the signature page where you can review the terms and conditions of the FAFSA form. Remember, the FAFSA form is a legal document that you will electronically sign using your StudentAid.gov account username and password. Once you’ve reviewed the terms and conditions, you can select “Sign,” and your section of the form will be complete.
Items you may need to complete parent portion of FAFSA
Your child’s Social Security number (or A-number if they are an eligible noncitizen)
Your spouse’s name, date of birth, Social Security number (if they have one), and email address if you’re married
Previous year's tax return documents, including federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned from work for both you and your child (If you’re married and did not file taxes jointly with your spouse, you’ll also need your spouse’s tax information.)
Records of child support received
Bank statements and records of investments, businesses, and farms (if applicable) for you and your child
The law sets the dependency guidelines. They are different from those used by the IRS. Even if your child doesn’t live with you, supports themselves, or files taxes separately from you, we may still refer to them as a dependent student for federal student aid purposes. If you refuse to fill out the FAFSA for your student then the student will be ineligible for possible free money.
Once both student and guardian contributor has completed the FAFSA and it has been submitted you should see a congratulation's page and it should say FAFSA is in Review.
This is a step-by-step guide to help you fill out the FAFSA on your own, if at any time you feel overwhelmed and need help you can make an appointment and I can help you. Click below to make an appointment.
If you do need help note that if you do not have your FSA ID created it will take at least 2 separate visits for us to finish the FAFSA, in order to expedite this process if you can create your FSA ID 3 days prior to our meeting then we should be able to compete the FASFA in one sitting as long as your were verified with Social Security administration with no problems.
Links for appointments
Links for appointments
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