Aid Step 2: Submitting the FAFSA Form

— FAFSA Form Steps —

Step 1: Get Your Personal PIN

• the PIN is your personal identification number that lets your apply, sign your online FAFSA, make corrections and perform any other action with the Department of Education
  
  go to www.pin.ed.gov to register for your PIN
  
  
  

Step 2: Collect the Required Documents

Completing the FAFSA form requires the following records:

• 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
  
  make sure you keep these records secure in the event that your college is required to request records for verification
  
  for more information about required documents
  (links to the fafsa site)
  
  

Step 3: Get School Codes

• the result of your FAFSA application will be sent to the schools of your choice. Schools will use the information in determining eligible financial aid
  
  
• have your school codes ready when you are ready to complete your FAFSA online: find your school codes
  (links to the fafsa site)

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;
  
  for example, if you plan to attend school in Fall 2007, you must submit your FAFSA form anytime after January 1, 2007 to about the end of July in order to qualify for financial aid for the academic year coming up.
  
  
• Check your deadlines:
  www.fafsa.ed.gov
  
  you should submit your FAFSA form early to meet college financial aid deadlines
  
  complete / submit FAFSA online application:
  www.fafsa.ed.gov

Step 5: For Making Corrections

• to review and make any necessary changes to the FAFSA form:
  FAFSA web site
  
  contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center
  at 1-800-433-3243 if your address has changed.
  
  
• need to check your SAR status:
  FAFSA web site
  
  
• add additional schools to your SAR
  request duplicate copies to be sent to you from the FAFSA form web site (under "Request Duplicate Student Aid Report")
  
  add more schools by submitting a correction to your FAFSA information

Other FAFSA 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.
  
  Renewal FAFSA online application:
  www.fafsa.ed.gov
  
  
• some colleges may require submission of the FINANCIAL AID PROFILE® form in addition to the FAFSA form:
  
  link to the collegeboard for information
  
  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:
  
  college and university directory:
  click here for college directory