Completing the FAFSA

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is required for student loans and possibly other financial aid you might be seeking for graduate school. You will need to complete a FAFSA every year you are in school. You can complete the FAFSA online or on paper.

Below are documents you will need to complete your FAFSA:

• Your Social Security number or, if you are not a US citizen, your alien registration or permanent resident card.
• Your driver's license number.
• W-2 forms and other records of earnings for the previous year.
• Federal income tax return for yourself (and your spouse, if you are married) for the previous year.
• Your parents' federal income tax return for the previous year ( if you are a dependent student).
• Records of untaxed income including child support, Social Security, and veteran's benefits.
• Current bank and investment statements.
• Current investment records, such as business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stocks, and bonds.

You typically have until the end of June to turn in your FAFSA if you want to receive aid for the fall semester. However, you will want to complete the FAFSA as early in the year as possible so you will know early how much aid you can receive. Work on getting your tax returns done quickly in the year so you can get the FAFSA done too.

Be honest and accurate as you complete your FAFSA. All of the information can be verified. If you, for example, report less income than you actually had, you may be required to pay back money you receive.