The Ins and Outs of the FAFSA

In order to apply for financial aid for college, you MUST complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing the FAFSA application doesn't determine whether you actually will be awarded financial aid, it simply identifies whether or not you are eligible for aid.

Before you get started, have the following ready:

• Social Security Number



• Driver's license (if any)



• W-2 forms and other records of money earned



• Your parents' federal income tax return (if you are a dependent) for the previous year or your own, if not a dependent



• Your bank statements for last year



• Your alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

Pointers for completing the FAFSA:

• Complete the FAFSA on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.



• It's faster than the paper-based application



• You can work on the application in parts, saving it online as you go.



• FAFSA on the Web automatically checks your answers before you submit your application.


• In order to complete the FAFSA you must sign the document before it is processed. You may sign your application electronically by requesting a PIN online. Your PIN will be emailed to you. A PIN is not required to fill out a FAFSA, but using a PIN is the fastest way to sign your application. If you would rather sign by paper, a PIN will still be sent to you for future access to your record. The same PIN can then be used to access and sign your Renewal FAFSA application for the next school year.



• Know the deadlines. For the 2004-05 school year, FAFSA on the web and FAFSA Renewal on the web is due on June 30, 2005. Corrections must be submitted by September 17, 2005.