The FAFSA is used to apply for state, federal and college specific financial aid that includes grants, scholarships, campus work, and loans. The application process begins in January when you start gathering the required information. You will need the following for you and your parent(s):
- Most recent W-2s
- Driver's license and social security number
- Record of untaxed income received during the previous tax year
- Value and debt of business and/or farm (excluding a farm on which you live)
- Value of investments, excluding retirement accounts and home equity
- Completed tax returns
- A PIN number (you each need one). You must get one from www.pin.ed.gov at least a week before the deadline to act as your electronic signatures
- Some sources of financial aid are deadline driven, so you should annually complete the FAFSA by March 1. Check with the colleges and universities you are sending FAFSA results to determine their specific application deadlines/priority dates requirements.
