financial aid summary note

About the FAFSA Form

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first form you will need to file to begin the financial need process for most federal student aid programs.

The FAFSA form will be required for all Federal Student Loans and many scholarships. It is used by colleges to determine your financial aid eligibility.

You may submit the FAFSA form anytime after January 1 in the year you intend to begin school;

• for example, if you plan to attend school in Fall 2011, you must submit your FAFSA form anytime after January 1, 2011 to about the end of July in order to qualify for financial aid for the academic year coming up
• You should submit your FAFSA form early to meet college financial aid deadlines
  
• The FAFSA form must be completed and renewed each year while you attend school

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financial aid summary note

Completing the FAFSA requires:

• social security number and driver license
• alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
  
• tax returns for the fiscal year that just ended
• W-2 and 1099 forms
• records of untaxed income, such as Social Security benefits, AFDC or ADC, child support, welfare, pensions, military subsistence allowances, and veterans benefits
• current bank and mortgage statements
• medical and dental expenses during the past year that was not covered by medical insurance
• business and/or farm records
• current investment records for stock, bonds, mutual funds, CDs, and money market accounts

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Steps in FAFSA Form Submission

1. Step 1: Get your personal PIN. The PIN is your personal identification number that lets your apply, sign your online FAFSA.
2. Step 2: Collect the required documents. See the requirements under Note 2.
3. Step 3: Get school codes. The results of your FAFSA application will be sent to the schools of your choice.
4. Step 4: Complete the FAFSA form online. You may submit the FAFSA form anytime after January 1 in the year you intend to begin school.
5. Step 5: Check your deadlines. You should submit your FAFSA form early to meet college financial aid deadlines.
6. Step 6: Link to the FAFSA form to make corrections if needed.

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View Other FAFSA Form Notes

Returning students seeking financial aid must complete a FAFSA form each year they attend school.

• Returning students will complete the Renewal FAFSA form — the renewal form updates your previous submitted FAFSA form.

Some colleges may require submission of the FINANCIAL AID PROFILE® form in addition to the FAFSA form:

• The PROFILE form is a fee-based form used by select schools to administer their own financial programs.
• The PROFILE form requires more complete information not generally covered by the FAFSA form — contact your college institution to determine whether they require the PROFILE form and any other Financial Aid Application forms

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