The following documents will be required EVERY YEAR when completing the FAFSA application:
  • Your driver's license (if any)
  • Your W-2 Forms and other records of money earned
  • Your (and your spouse's, if married) Federal Income Tax Return
  • Your parent's Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
  • Your untaxed income records
  • Your current bank statements
  • Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stocks, bonds and otter investment records
  • Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a citizen)
College Financial Aid Check List

•Apply for admission to your college choices. •Apply for TWO (student and parent) FSA ID (this replaced the PIN number) •Find out the Financial Aid priority deadline and Scholarship deadline at your college (usually available on the college web site). •Apply for any scholarships available to you. •Complete Parent and Student (if necessary) Tax Return Forms. •Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov and sign with both FSA user name/password at least a week before the Financial Aid priority deadline at your college. •Check to make sure your college financial aid department has received your information and ask the following:

TIPS:

•Always file the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you need help, see your counselor. DO NOT MAIL IN YOUR FAFSA! •The College cannot download your FAFSA information if you have not applied for admission or if you did not list them on your FAFSA. •List all possible college choices on your FAFSA (up to 10). •Tax Forms need to be completed if possible, but do not have to be filed with the IRS in order to show them completed on the FAFSA. Be sure to save copies of all TAX forms and W-2's, you may need them for verification at the college. •If both FSA accounts are used, the college should have FAFSA information in 3 days. If a signature page is mailed it will be approximately 7 days. •Keep FSA accounts (user name/password) in a safe place. They will be used every year on your FAFSA and to correct or check on your information. •Even if your college does not have a financial aid deadline, most start awarding money March 1st. To be first in line, be sure all information needed by financial aid is turned in by the end of February. •If you are told you are picked for verification, complete all required information immediately. You will receive no funds until you do so. REMEMBER: The verification is the final step...make sure it is correct. Mistakes on the verification may not be able to be corrected!!!