How To FAFSA
Watch this step-by-step video that goes through creating a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID so you can fill out your FASFA!
Watch this step-by-step video that goes through creating a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID so you can fill out your FASFA!
Watch this video to learn what you will need to do in order to fill out the FASFA and what you can expect!
Watch this video to learn what you will need to do in order to fill out the FASFA and what you can expect!
7 Things you Need Before You Fill Out the FAFSA
7 Things you Need Before You Fill Out the FAFSA
- Your FSA ID
The student will need a FASFA ID to complete the form. If parent information needs to be entered into your FASFA, have one of your parents create their own FASFA ID. It is recommended you create your FASFA account early to avoid any delays.
The student will need a FASFA ID to complete the form. If parent information needs to be entered into your FASFA, have one of your parents create their own FASFA ID. It is recommended you create your FASFA account early to avoid any delays.
- Your Social Security number
If you do not have access to your social security card, ask your parent or legal guardian or request a replaced card. If you are not a U.S. citizen, but meet Federal Student Aid’s basic eligibility requirements, you’ll also need your number from your green card.
If you do not have access to your social security card, ask your parent or legal guardian or request a replaced card. If you are not a U.S. citizen, but meet Federal Student Aid’s basic eligibility requirements, you’ll also need your number from your green card.
- Your driver's license number
If you do not have a driver's license you do not need to worry about providing a number.
If you do not have a driver's license you do not need to worry about providing a number.
- Your tax records from the previous tax year
When you fill out the FASFA, you will be asked to provide your tax information from the previous year (and your parents, as appropriate). The FASFA has an option to link with the IRS using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). The IRS DRT tool is the fastest and most accurate way to report tax information, but not everyone is eligible for the IRS DRT feature and the tool does not input all of your tax information, so it is recommended that you have your tax information with you when you fill out the FASFA!
When you fill out the FASFA, you will be asked to provide your tax information from the previous year (and your parents, as appropriate). The FASFA has an option to link with the IRS using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). The IRS DRT tool is the fastest and most accurate way to report tax information, but not everyone is eligible for the IRS DRT feature and the tool does not input all of your tax information, so it is recommended that you have your tax information with you when you fill out the FASFA!
- Records of your untaxed income
This step may or may not apply to you. Examples of untaxed income that would need to be included in this section are child support received, interest income, and veteran noneducation benefits.
This step may or may not apply to you. Examples of untaxed income that would need to be included in this section are child support received, interest income, and veteran noneducation benefits.
- Records of your assets (money)
In this section, you would want to enter your saving and checking account information, as well as investments like stocks, bonds, and real estate (not the home you currently live in). Read these links to learn what is and is not a student investment and parent investment.
In this section, you would want to enter your saving and checking account information, as well as investments like stocks, bonds, and real estate (not the home you currently live in). Read these links to learn what is and is not a student investment and parent investment.
- List of the school(s) you are interested in attending
It is recommended that you list all colleges you are considering applying to, even if there is a slight chance. You can always remove schools from your profile if you decide not to apply. The schools you list on your profile will automatically receive your FASFA results. You can list up to 10 schools on your profile, and if you are applying to more than 10 schools visit this link.
It is recommended that you list all colleges you are considering applying to, even if there is a slight chance. You can always remove schools from your profile if you decide not to apply. The schools you list on your profile will automatically receive your FASFA results. You can list up to 10 schools on your profile, and if you are applying to more than 10 schools visit this link.
(U.S. Department of Education, n.d.)