FAFSA application is the start for your financial aid. It's the first thing you have to complete when you look for financial aid. The FAFSA is used by colleges and agencies to determine eligible aid
amounts. The answer from the FAFSA application will determine if you need to apply for more financial aid.
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This is the application when you want government, state and college sponsored free Grants and
Scholarships. This same application is also used when you want to apply for
Work Study Programs, Federal Student Loans
and Other Financial Aid.
If case you do not understand a question or are having trouble filling out the form, call the
Federal Student Aid Information Center at
1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
The FAFSA application process is pretty simple, but it requires you to gather documentation from you and your parents. The process itself has three parts:
Before You Begin Your FAFSA Application
Filling Out Your FAFSA Application
Follow Up And Check Status For Your FAFSA Application
The preparation is the most important step in the process. You need to determine your dependency status. Find the school codes you're searching financial aid for. You and your parents (if
applicable) will have to apply for the application PIN. Last thing you need to check is the deadline for your submission.
The FAFSA application requires documentation. You need to present a copy of your or your parents income tax return for the last year. This could become difficult right at the beginning if
you can not come up with an income tax return. That's why it's very important to start this at least 3 months before you plan on mailing your application. The extra time will allow you to
prepare the necessary documentation if missing.
Social Security Number
Driver's License (if applicable)
2009 W-2 Forms
2009 Federal Income Tax Return
Parents 2009 Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
2009 Untaxed Income Records
Current Bank Statements
Current Business and Investment Mortgage Information, Business and Farm Records, Stock, Bonds and etc Records
Alien Registration or Permanent Resident Card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Please visit our Financial Aid Tips and read up information regarding some of the required documents above.
This step is the meat of the deal. Here you fill out the actual application. The data collected is going to be about your personal information, your financial information, your school plans, and
other plans you may have. On top of that your parents financial information may also be required.
You must fill out the application fully and correctly in order to be considered for financial aid. It is wise to read the entire application first and think through what you're going to write.
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Fill Out Your FAFSA Online Here |
Here you wait for the results from the submission. While waiting you can still correct the application if you filled it out online. You can add or remove schools. Online submission allows you
to print your student aid report as well.
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Important Questions |
Q: Can you still apply for FAFSA after the deadline?
This question comes up a lot. You can always try. The worst you're going to hear back is "No".
Q: Legally Who has to fill out my FAFSA Application?
Legally; the dependent student that is in question and his parents. Even the online applications requires a pin for the student and for the parent.
Q: What do I put on my FAFSA Application if I'm pregnant?
This is a though one, contact your financial aid office in order to correctly select your stats. Pregnancy is not the only parameter in here. This could also depend on where you live and your age.
Q: Can't complete the FAFSA Application on my own, what to do?
The best thing to do is not to worry. Go to your school's financial office and ask for help. Second, you can post specific questions in here. Third, lookup financial aid offices in your state.
This website has contacts section by state. See if the state office can help you.
Q: If my parents divorced who fills out my FAFSA?
If your parents divorced or separated, the parent that lived with you the most during the last 12 months is the parent responsible for filling out your FAFSA Application.
Q: My mother divorced and then remarried. Do I have to report her husband's income?
Yes, double check this with your school financial office, but I'm pretty sure that "Yes" is the answer.
Q: What if I do not have a Federal Student Aid PIN?
You must use your Federal Student Aid PIN to complete your TEACH Grant Initial and Subsequent Counseling and your Agreement to Serve (ATS). If you do not have a PIN, you may request one from the
Federal Student Aid PIN Web site.
View All Questions
The described process for the FAFSA application is simple if you plan in advance. Make sure to collect what is required for the application. Complete the package correctly. Ask financial aid
office at your school to help if you need help and submit it as soon as possible beating other candidates.
We advise our financial aid candidates to use our tools below and see how much college is going to cost, how to plan or save for college, how to find financial aid, and calculate
loan amounts.
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Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) Program
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