Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, can be a daunting task. However, for a student in need of financial aid, it is a necessity. While it might sound complicated at first, when broken down into its component parts the process becomes much less painful. Once the paperwork is finished, the FAFSA website allows for quick and easy completion and submission online.
Instructions
1. Visit the federal government's FAFSA website or secure a paper copy of the FAFSA from an educational institution. Universities, colleges and some high schools keep the paperwork on hand.
2. Gather and prepare documents for quick and easy completion of the FAFSA. A "FAFSA on the Web" worksheet can help organize the required documents for completing the application and centralize information to one sheet instead of referring to many complicated documents. The worksheet organizes information like the Social Security Number, driver's license number (if applicable), federal tax information for the year leading up to the year of application, records of untaxed income, and information on other assets such as savings, investments and business assets.
3. Fill out Section 1 of the FAFSA. Section 1 includes general student information such as Social Security Number, state of residence, degree information (if applicable) and marital status.
4. Complete Section 2 to determine dependency status. Questions in this section focus largely on the income and assets of a student's parents. Specific inquiries about parents' income taxes populate Section 2 of the FAFSA and can largely affect the amount of federal financial aid a person receives.
5. Finish Section 3 of the FAFSA which deals with parental information. Parents' income and tax returns largely affect the likelihood and amount of financial aid a student will receive from the federal government.
6. Fill out Section 4: Student Finances. The FAFSA uses student tax information from the year leading up to the academic year to calculate the amount of aid for which a student is eligible.
7. Acquire identification numbers for the schools where the student wishes to apply. College and university identification numbers are found on the FAFSA website. These numbers are also readily available by contacting the college or university or visiting an institution's website.
8. Total the applicable earnings and tax return amounts as directed. The paper application requires the applicant to total the numbers by hand, whereas the online application calculates the figures automatically.
9. Mail the paper FAFSA application or submit the online application as directed.
Tags: FAFSA website, Section FAFSA, easy completion, federal government, Fill Section