How to Fill Out a Federal Application for Student Aid

When preparing to go to college, the biggest question on most people's minds is, "How will I pay for it?" The first step for all students is to fill out the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). The Federal Application for Student Aid determines your eligibility for federal aid that can come in the form of subsidized or unsubsidized Stafford Loans. The Federal Student Aid office processes 14 million FAFSAs per year. It is crucial that you get your application submitted as soon as possible after being accepted to a college or university. You may file online or by snail mail. This article explains how to file a FAFSA online, but is useful for those filing on paper as well.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Social Security Number
• Driver's License
• Current Bank Statements and Investments
• Student and Parent PIN
• School Code
• Know Your Dependency Status
• Parents W-2
• Parents Previous Year Taxes
• Your W-2
• Your Previous Year Taxes
• Any Untaxed Income Records
• Alien Registration/Resident Card

1. 
    
   Getting Started

   Fill out your personal information on the first page. Make sure to create a password you can remember. You will be able to save the FAFSA and come back to it later, but you'll need your password.

2. 
    
   Clarification Page

   Review the information provided on the second page. This will answer any questions you may still have about FAFSA.

3. 
    
   Info About the Student

   Fill out "Info About the Student" section. This page requires your social security number, driver's license number, and citizenship status.

4. 
    

   Enter your email address if you want the results of your FAFSA sent to you via email. You will receive an Student Aid Report (SAR) by postal mail otherwise.

5. 
    
   Last of the Personal Info Questions

   Continue filling out your personal information, then specific information about your expected coursework. This section of the FAFSA asks you question like, "What will your grade level be when you begin the school year?"

6. 
    
   Dependency Status Questions

   Complete the questions to determine if you're a dependent. If you're independent, you may skip Step 7.

7. 
    
   Parent's Information

   If you're a dependent, fill out the parent's section. This section includes questions about their taxes, income, bank accounts, as well as their personal information like social security numbers and the amount of schooling they completed.

8. 
    

   Fill out your income tax information. This section of the FAFSA is very lengthy. Make sure you have your W-2 and tax return handy.

9. 
    
   School Code

   Enter your school code. You may search for it if you haven't already. You may also add more than one college here if you haven't decided which college you are attending.

10. 
     
    Housing Plans

    Select your housing plans from the drop down menu.

11. Are you a preparer? If you're the student attending college, select No. If you're a parent or someone else filling the FAFSA out for the student, select Yes.

12. 
     
    Electronic Signature

    Enter your PIN to electronically sign the FAFSA. Then review the document information and submit. Congratulations! You're done.

Tips & Warnings

• The FAFSA website supports most web browsers, but be sure to check their list before begining your application.
• Make sure to double check the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) deadlines. Get your application in as soon as possible.
• The Federal Student Aid office recommends that you file your taxes before filling out your FAFSA.
• You may print and fill out a FAFSA on the Web Worksheet, then enter the information online. This may help eliminate time wasting mistakes.
• Check with the Student Aid office at your school or your state's aid website to determine whether you need to fill out extra forms for state aid. Many states only refer to the FAFSA, while others require their own forms be filed separately.
• If you're independent, some schools may still require that you enter your parents' information into your FAFSA. You may call your Student Aid office to find out whether your school requires it.
• If you've been convicted of a drug offense while receiving Federal Student Aid, you may be ineligible to receive aid. A worksheet to determine eligibility is available on the FAFSA website.

Resources

• Before Starting FAFSA
• Fill Out FAFSA
• FAFSA Followup
• FAFSA Worksheets
• FAFSA Wiki

[Doodlebabe]

on 1/12/2009 I love how you break the FAFSA down and show people what to expect instead of just telling them.

[DbrimGT]

on 8/28/2008 I used to hate doing this...it's great to have a step by step guide to walk new college students through this process.

David Brim
http://GroupTable.com

[Inkling]

on 8/14/2008 Good flow of great tips!