FAFSA Application Process

How to Complete A FAFSA

A FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, must be completed when you are applying for government grants and most government loans (such as the Stafford or Perkins). Schools use student's FAFSA information to decide if they are eligible to receive federal aid.

A FAFSA can be found on the internet or through your school's financial aid office. This article explains the online application process.

Completing a FAFSA online is free, fast, and easy.

<b>Before Completing a FAFSA:</b>

Obtaining a PIN (Personal Identification Number) is the first thing you ought to do before you start your FAFSA. You can get a PIN through the U.S. Department of Education at www.pin.ed.gov. Your parents will also need a PIN if you are a dependent.

Your PIN will be used to electronically sign your FAFSA, review and correct your Student Aid Report (SAR), print your SAR, reapply for federal student aid annually, and see online information about any federal loans or grants you have received.

You will also need to have some documents on hand so that you can refer to them as you fill out your FAFSA. These documents are: your Social Security card (you won't need this if you have your SSN memorized), driver's license, previous years W-2 form and any additional records of money earned, last years Federal Income Tax Return, and your parents' Federal Income Tax return from last year. You will also need your untaxed income records (social security, temporary assistance to needy families, welfare, or veteran's benefits) from the previous year, current bank statements, and current business and investment information.

<b>Filling Out A FAFSA:</b>

After you have obtained your PIN and the needed documents, you can begin filling out a FAFSA.

1. On FAFSA.ed.gov click on �Filling Out a FAFSA�. Use your PIN to sign before you start. If for some reason you don't have a PIN, you can print, sign, and send in a signature page.

2. Fill out the application.

3. Go over your answers carefully, you won't want to leave any mistakes.

4. As soon as you have finished the application, click "Submit my FAFSA Now."

Clicking this button will bring you to a webpage with a confirmation number and an estimated amount of how much money you are likely to receive. You will want to print this page and keep it somewhere safe.

<b>Follow-Up:</b>

When you are done with the FAFSA you will receive a follow-up letter. If you provided them with an email address, they'll send you an email within 5 days, if not, you'll receive a letter in the mail within two weeks. This letter will give provide you with a link to your online Student Aid Report (SAR). Check your SAR cautiously to make sure your answers are correct.

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