FAFSA Filing Kit: Everything You Need to Fill Out the FAFSA

Filing the FAFSA isn’t as complicated or time-consuming as it seems: in fact, nearly 2/3 of the questions have been eliminated on the newly designed form, and there are many you don’t even have to answer on your own! In about the time it takes you to catch up on your Instagram feed - and with only a few pieces of information - you can take the critical first step in getting the money you need to attend college!

Here’s a checklist of everything you and your parent need to fill out, sign and submit the FAFSA:

An FSA ID. You, and whichever parent(s) will be contributors on your FAFSA must create a separate FSA ID by each creating an account on studentaid.gov. Do this first!

You and your parent’s Social Security numbers. If you’re not a U.S. Citizen but fall into one of thecategories that make you eligible for federal financial aid, you’ll also need your A-Number. If yourparent doesn’t have a Social Security Number, that’s ok - just provide their mailing address.

Driver’s license (if you have one).

List of schools to which you want to send the FAFSA. Starting this year, you can list up to 20! They’ll automatically receive your FAFSA results electronically, and use them to determine the types and amounts of financial aid you may receive.

If applicable, other records of money earned, and records of the value of student and parents assets and investments (not including retirement funds).

In previous years, you would have needed your and your parents’ federal income tax returns for the “prior-prior” year. But now, federal tax information (FTI) will automatically populate in your FAFSA once you and your parent(s) have provided consent. One less thing to have to do!

Want to know more? Check out the Federal Student Aid YouTube channel for more info on the big changes to the FAFSA that make it easier and faster to fill out. Your school’s financial aid office will help you with any questions you have at any time in the process, so don’t hesitate to contact them as well.

Our Office of Financial Aid will work with you to ensure you have access to the resources you need to pay for college. Our goal is to make sure all qualified applicants can invest in an education here.

If you have any questions about financial aid, need help filling out the FAFSA or encounter special financial circumstances your family is experiencing, please call us at (804) 123-5678 or email us.

Don’t forget to list our FAFSA Code: ~ENTER FAFSA CODE~