FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a form that is completed annually by current and prospective college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. It opens by Oct.1st each year.  Many grants (Pell Grant) require FAFSA to be completed. 

                                    https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa 

When applying for it, there is some information you will need ahead of time: 

• • An student FSA ID and parent FSA ID to sign electronically.

  • Your Social Security Number

  • Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

  • Your federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.) A 2027 grad needs 2025 tax returns. 

  • Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)

  • Records of untaxed income (if applicable)