FAFSA Checklist
Adapted from I'm First Guide to College
So you've figured out that you'll need to complete the FAFSA. As you--and your parents, if applicable--complete it, be sure to have the following records available to help you answer questions on the application:
- Social Security card
- Driver's license (if any)
- Permanent Resident Receipt Card (if applicable)
- W-2 forms and other records of money earned from previous year
- Previous year's income tax return (see the instructions on the FAFSA if the tax return has not been completed)
- Records of child support paid
- Records of taxable earnings from Federal Work-Study or other need-based work programs
- Records of student grant, scholarships and fellowship aid, including AmeriCorps awards, that was included in your (or your parents') AGI
- Current stock, bond, and other investment records
- Current business and farm records
- Current bank statements
A dependent student should have all the records listed above from his or her parents except for their driver's license.
Still not sure whether you will need to put your parents' information on the FAFSA? Check out "Am I Dependent or Independent?" or call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
If you file your taxes before filling out your FAFSA online, you might be able to have your tax information automatically retrieved from the IRS and inserted into your FAFSA. The FAFSA will walk you through the process.
Learn more at fafsa.ed.gov and studentaid.ed.gov.
