Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be a daunting task. There are extensive questions regarding your personal data, income and tax information, and you will be expected to provide information about your parents and their financial standing, as well. Here are other elements that you will need to keep in mind when completing your FAFSA forms.
You can choose how you want to submit your FAFSA forms
You can usually pick up FAFSA forms at your high school or at the college or university which you wish to attend. You can then complete the forms and send them in via mail. But for a quick turnaround, you can complete the FAFSA online. This limits the amount of paperwork you will have to keep up with, since everything is submitted through the internet. You may first need to apply for a PIN, or Personal Identification Number. Your PIN functions as your online signature. You can also use your PIN for each following year that you apply for financial aid.
When completing the FAFSA, you will also need to refer to certain documents to provide accurate information on the form
You will need to know your Social Security Number, or if you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need to know your alien registration number or have your permanent residence card. You may also need to submit your driver’s license number, if you have one. In addition, you may need your W-2 Forms and Federal Income Tax Return, as well as your parents’ Federal Income Tax Return and untaxed income records. If you have a mortgage, investments and / or a business, you may also need to provide this information.
Another good way to make the completion of your FAFSA go smoothly is to know your timeline. You may find it difficult to complete the FAFSA forms the day before they are due, so keep an eye on the FAFSA deadlines, as well as any deadlines that your school’s financial aid office may have. This way, you can collect all of the information you need and accurately submit it. This will also afford you some time to get help if you are having trouble completing the FAFSA.
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