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Instructions to Complete the FAFSA
Step-By-Step Instructions to Complete the FAFSA
Whether you plan to attend classes on-campus or online, you must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal student aid and to apply for most state and college aid. Completing the FAFSA for the first time can be a bit daunting, so we have laid out a simple and easy-to-follow checklist below:
Step 1: Determine Your Dependency Status
First, you will need to determine your dependency status. This will help to determine whether you will need a parent or guardian to sign your FAFSA. The FAFSA website has a handy questionairre to help you determine your dependency status. You may also use the questions listed below - if you answer NO to all of these questions, you are legally dependent status, and you will need a parent or legal guardian in order to complete your FAFSA:
• Were you born before January 1, 1985?
• At the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
• As of today, are you married? (answer YES if you are separated but not divorced) As of today refers to the day that you sign your FAFSA.
• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
• Do you have dependents other than your children/spouse who lives with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2010?
• Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or will you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?
• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
Step 2: Apply For A Personal Identification Number (PIN)
After determining your dependency status, you will need to Apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Your PIN will allow you to save your incomplete FAFSA and return to complete it at a later time. It will also allow you to re-enter your FAFSA to make corrections. If you were determined dependent status in the previous step, your parent or legal guardian will also need to Apply for a PIN.
Step 3: Gather Materials To Complete The FAFSA
Once you and your parent or legal guardian have received your PIN (if necessary), you are ready to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Make sure that you have the following information available, as it will be requested on your application:
• Your Social Security Number
• Your parents' Social Security Numbers, if you are providing their information
• Your driver's license number, if you have one
• Your alien Registration Number, if you are not a U.S. citizen
• Your most recent Federal Income Tax information, or tax returns (including IRS W-2 information) for yourself (and your spouse, if you are married), and for your parents if you are providing parent information. If you have not yet filed your most recent Federal or State Income Tax return, you can still submit your FAFSA, but you must provide income and tax information.
• Record of untaxed income, such as Social Security benefits, welfare benefits (e.g. TANF), and veterans benefits, for yourself and your parents, if you are providing parent information
• Information on savings, investments, and business and farm assets for yourself, and your parents, if you are providing parent information
• The Title IV Federal School Code for any school that you are interested in attending. If you do not have the Title IV Federal School Code for your college or university, you can obtain it by contacting the Financial Aid Office of your school.
Step 4: Complete and Submit Your FAFSA
Once you have received your necessary Personal Identifiation Numbers (PIN) and gathered all needed information and materials, you are ready to complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please remember that you can save your incomplete FAFSA at any point, and return to complete it at a later time. If you reach a question for which you find yourself unprepared, saving and returning later would be a good option.
The following steps will help you complete your FAFSA:
- Under the section Which FAFSA do you wish to file make sure to select the appropriate FAFSA year.
- Under the section Do you want to sign your application now by using your PIN you will select YES.
- Under the section Filling out the FAFSA complete all questions and select the NEXT button.
- Provide the requested information for each question and select the NEXT button. Remember to answer all questions.
- When you reach the section that requests the Federal School Code, enter the Title IV School Code.
- Once all questions are complete, you will have an option to print a copy of your application. Print a copy for your records and then select NEXT. Note: You must complete this step to submit your application!
- On the bottom of the next and final page, select the SUBMIT MY FAFSA NOW option
- Next, you will receive a confirmation page with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Print and keep a copy of your confirmation page for your own records.
Congratulations, you have completed and submitted your FAFSA! You will receive confirmation from the U.S. Department of Education within a few days that indicates your FAFSA has been processed. You should then contact the Financial Aid Office of your school so that you can schedule an appointment.
