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What You Need On-Hand to Complete the FAFSA

What You Need On-Hand to Complete the FAFSA

By Mike Pugh

April 21, 2009

It’s time to fill out the mother of all financial aid forms: the FAFSA. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. But before you sit down to complete the form, make sure you have all the necessary materials. You’ll need:

  • Your Social Security card and driver’s license, and/or alien registration card if you are not a US citizen.
  • Your income tax returns, W-2 forms and 1040 forms for the previous year. If you’re married, you’ll also need your spouse’s documents.
  • Your parents’ income tax returns, W-2 forms and 1040 forms for the previous year (if you are dependent).
  • Records and documentation of other untaxed income received such as welfare benefits, Social Security income, veteran’s benefits, AFDC, or military or clergy allowances.
  • Current bank statements, and records of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investments.
  • Current mortgage information.
  • Business or farm records (if applicable).
  • Records relating to any unusual family financial circumstances, such as unusually high child care costs, death, divorce and loss of unemployment. (These aren’t required, but they could influence the amount of aid received.)
  • Title IV Institution Codes for each school you are applying to. You can get this code from the school, or you can use FinAid’s Title IV School Code Database.

Once you’ve assembled all the necessary materials, filling out the FAFSA should be a fairly simple task. Remember to make copies of all documents and keep them with your copy of your completed FAFSA.


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    judojon

    8 days ago

    I am a 55 year old student, I have moved away from my previous job and I am currently unemployed. I have been accepted into the PhD program at the University of Arizona. Do I need any information from my retired 75 & 76 year old parents?

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    KokobeA2

    2 months ago

    my name is kokobe from Ethiopia. I am married and have two children. I have already been accepted to the college of my choice. I am employee. Can I apply as an independent based on my income only.(kokilovelast@gmail.com is my mail)

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    curleyq

    3 months ago

    My parents are divorced and my dad will not fill out the FAFSA. Can it be filled out only by my mom? She is remarried. Does she only put her income down? What if their taxes are filed jointly since she is married? Help!

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    Corijones2013

    3 months ago

    @david_carson80 You can sign up as a independent on FAFSA, my Aunt did that since she was not under her parents income.

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    david_carson80

    3 months ago

    I am not a dependent on my parents income...I am a 32 year old male...why do I need my parents financial information to fill out the fafsa?

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    rgamez02

    4 months ago

    What if I am reapplying for this upcoming year? Do I need all my W-2 forms and 1040 forms ?

  • Max50_photo_user_blank

    Elixtr3m

    4 months ago

    Do my parent fill my FAFSA application again this year like they never did before ? I mean restart all over with new pin ? (I am tax dependent)

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    PMVielbig

    4 months ago

    What if my parent is tax exempt?

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    Alli_Rose

    5 months ago

    What if you have a guardian? Do you fill out your guardian's information or your parents?

  • Max50_photo_user_blank

    500012922

    5 months ago

    sounds good but wat if one wants to apply as indepentdent and how do u know ur one

  • Max50_photo_user_blank

    sweetheart300

    5 months ago

    Do you have to wait till your excepted to the school to start the fasa

  • Max50_photo_user_blank

    BNP12

    5 months ago

    My mom has not filed her 2011 taxes so I am unable to complete the FAFSA paper work. What should we do?

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    waves7

    5 months ago

    what if my parents have never done taxes?

  • Max50_photo_user_blank

    gkassoo

    5 months ago

    My dad has not yet filed his 2011 tax return. Should I just fill in estimated numbers or do they have to be accurate?

  • Max50_photo_user_blank

    sakuraimb

    5 months ago

    My mom and I rent a room to live from my uncle house so what do I put for household number? Two or three? I new help!!!!
    Thank you