Documents Needed to Complete the FAFSA
To complete the FAFSA you will need the prior year financial and tax information.
Example: for 2012-2013 school year you will need financial information and tax forms for 2011.
You will need to refer to:
- Your Social Security Card*
- Your Driver's license
- Your (and your spouse's if you are married) W-2 forms and records of money earned in prior year*
- Your (and your spouse's if you are married) Federal Income Tax Return with schedules:*
Also see IRS Data Retrieval.- IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, or 1040 TeleFile
- Foreign Tax Return
- Tax Return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Marshall Islands, Federal States of Micronesia, or Palau*
- Your (and your spouse's if you are married) untaxed income records
- Child support received
- Worker's compensation
- Your (and your spouse's if you are married) current bank statements *
- Your (and your spouse's if you are married) current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stocks, bonds and other investment records*
- Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. Citizen)
* You will also need these documents with parental information, if you are considered a Dependent Student.
Dependency Questions
View questions appearing on the FAFSA Application
Dependency Status Worksheet
Purpose: These questions are used to determine (according to federal law) whether you are a dependent or an independent student for purposes of calculating an award. If you answer "No" to all of these questions, you are a dependent student, even if you do not live with your parents. The FAA's decision is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.