Apply on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov . IT'S FREE! Before you sit down to complete the form, make sure you have all the necessary materials. You'll need:

____ A PIN number.  Go on-line and get a PIN  for yourself [and a parent if you are under 24 years old]  http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before004.htm

____ Your Social Security card and driver's license, and/or alien registration card if you are not a US citizen.

____ Your income tax returns, W-2 forms and 1040 forms for the previous year. If you're married, you'll also need your spouse's documents.

____ Your parents' income tax returns, W-2 forms and 1040 forms for the previous year (if you are dependent-most students under 24 years of age).

____ Records and documentation of other untaxed income received such as welfare benefits, Social Security income, veteran's benefits, AFDC, or military or clergy allowances.

____ Current bank statements, and records of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investments.

____ Current mortgage information.

____ Business or farm records (if applicable).

____ Records relating to any unusual family financial circumstances, such as medical and dental expenses not covered by health insurance, tuition expenses at elementary or secondary schools, unusually high child care costs, death, divorce and loss of unemployment. (These aren't required, but they could influence the amount of aid received.)

Once you've assembled all the necessary materials, filling out the FAFSA should be a fairly simple task. You can get a headstart by filling out the FAFSA worksheet before you file your FAFSA on-line. Remember to make copies of all documents and keep them with your copy of your completed FAFSA.

2008-09 Worksheet for FAFSA on the WEB for 2008 Fall semester and 2009 Spring semester

2008-09 Worksheet in Spanish on the WEB for 2008 Fall semester and 2009 Spring semester

REMEMBER, you must refile a FAFSA every year.  The FAFSA renewal is much easier to complete.  You can apply as early as January 1st for next year! 

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before012.htm

Created: February 02, 2006 @ 10:38 AM
Last Modified: August 18, 2008 @ 09:05 AM