Gather These Documents Before You Log In

The FAFSA form itself takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete, but finding all the pieces takes longer. You will need your Social Security number, a government-issued ID, and tax information from the previous year — usually the year before you are applying for school. Have these items in front of you before you start, because the form will not let you save and come back to the same spot; you can save your progress, but you have to re-enter information from the beginning if you close the browser.

If you are a dependent student, your parent or guardian will also need their Social Security number and tax information. If you are independent, you only need your own. The form asks for both your and your parent's information side by side, so having both sets ready prevents you from having to stop halfway through and hunt for a tax return.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your Social Security number, a government ID, and last year's tax return or tax transcript before you start the FAFSA form.
  • If you are a dependent, your parent or guardian must provide their Social Security number and tax information as well.
  • A tax transcript from the IRS is faster and more accurate than typing numbers from a paper return, and you can request one free online.
  • You will create a login account called a FSA ID before filling out the form itself, and this login is separate from your school's student portal.
  • Have bank account numbers and investment information ready if you have savings, but do not worry if you have none.

Tax Information: Return or Transcript

The FAFSA asks for your adjusted gross income, tax paid, and a few other numbers from your tax return. You have two ways to provide this: type the numbers yourself from a paper return, or have the form pull the information directly from the IRS using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. The direct pull is faster and more accurate because it eliminates typing errors.

To use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you need a tax transcript, not the return itself. You can order a free transcript from the IRS website (irs.gov) or by phone at 1-800-908-9946. It arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days, or you can view it online immediately if you create an IRS account. If you do not have time to wait, you can type the numbers from your paper return instead, though this method is slower and more prone to mistakes.

If you have not filed taxes yet, you can still start the FAFSA. You will estimate your income, and then update the form later with actual numbers once you file. Schools use your estimates to award aid in the meantime.

Financial Information: Bank and Investment Accounts

The FAFSA asks whether you have money in savings accounts, checking accounts, or investment accounts as of the day you submit the form. You will need the account balances, not the account numbers themselves. If you have no savings, you enter zero and move on — this does not hurt your chances of receiving aid.

If you do have savings, have your most recent bank statements or investment statements open when you fill out the form. The form asks for the total balance in each type of account (savings, checking, investments), not a list of individual accounts. If you have multiple savings accounts, add them together and enter one number.

Your FSA ID Login and Your Parent's FSA ID

Before you can fill out the FAFSA form, you must create a login called an FSA ID. This is a username and password that the Department of Education uses to track your FAFSA across years and schools. It is not the same as your school's student portal login, and you create it on the FAFSA website itself, not through your school.

If you are a dependent student, your parent or guardian must also create their own FSA ID. The form will ask for your parent's FSA ID login during the FAFSA process so they can sign the form electronically. Your parent does not fill out a separate FAFSA; they just sign yours using their FSA ID.

Both you and your parent should write down your FSA IDs somewhere safe. You will use the same login if you fill out the FAFSA again next year, and schools may ask for it when you contact financial aid offices.

Government ID and Proof of Citizenship

You will need a government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or tribal ID. The FAFSA does not ask you to upload it, but you must have it in front of you to verify your identity when you create your FSA ID. The system asks questions about your ID to confirm you are who you say you are.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need to provide your Alien Registration Number (also called an A-number or USCIS number). This is on your green card, work permit, or other immigration document. If you are a refugee or asylee, you have a different process; the FAFSA website has a separate section for non-citizen status.

Information About Your School and Housing Plans

The FAFSA asks which school you plan to attend and whether you will live on campus, off campus, or at home. You need the school's federal school code, which is a six-digit number. You can find it by searching the school name on the FAFSA website, or by asking the school's financial aid office directly.

If you have not decided on a school yet, you can leave this blank and add schools later. You can also add multiple schools to one FAFSA form — the form sends your information to each school you list, and each school uses it to calculate your aid package.

What You Do Not Need

You do not need to have been admitted to a school before you fill out the FAFSA. You do not need to have decided which school you will attend. You do not need to have filed your taxes yet, though having your tax information makes the process faster. You do not need to pay any fee to fill out the FAFSA — it is free, and anyone charging you to complete it is running a scam.

You also do not need to have a specific amount of money saved. If you have no savings, no investments, and no income, you still fill out the form. Your financial situation affects how much aid you may receive, but it does not prevent you from submitting the FAFSA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use last year's tax return instead of a tax transcript?

Yes. A tax transcript is faster and more accurate because the IRS Data Retrieval Tool pulls the information directly, but you can type the numbers from your paper return instead. Typing takes longer and is more prone to errors, so a transcript is the better option if you have time to request one.

What if my parent refuses to provide their information?

If you are a dependent student, your parent's information is required on the FAFSA. If your parent will not cooperate, contact your school's financial aid office — they can sometimes override the dependent status or direct you to resources for students in difficult family situations. Some students may be considered independent even if they are under 24.

Do I need to print anything or mail anything to complete the FAFSA?

No. The FAFSA is completed entirely online. You do not print or mail anything. You create an FSA ID login, fill out the form on the website, and submit it electronically. Your school receives it automatically.

What happens if I do not have a Social Security number?

You cannot complete the FAFSA without a Social Security number. If you are a non-citizen without a Social Security number, contact your school's financial aid office — they can tell you whether you are may be able to access for aid and what alternative processes exist for your immigration status.

Can I save my FAFSA and come back to it later?

Yes, you can save your progress. However, the form does not save your place within a section — when you log back in, you start from the beginning and re-enter information until you reach the point where you left off. It is faster to complete the form in one sitting if possible.