Start with your Social Security number and tax records

The FAFSA asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license number (if you have one). You will also need your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID, which is a username and password you create at StudentAid.gov — this is separate from your Social Security number and lets you sign the form electronically. If you do not have an FSA ID yet, create one before you sit down to fill out the FAFSA.

You will need tax information from the previous year. If you filed taxes, have your 1040 form and any schedules (like Schedule 1 or Schedule C if you are self-employed). If you did not file taxes but earned income, gather your W-2 forms from your employer or 1099 forms if you were self-employed or a contractor. If you had no income, you can still complete the FAFSA — just leave those fields blank.

The FAFSA also asks about untaxed income, which includes things like workers' compensation, Social Security benefits, or military housing allowances. Gather any statements showing these payments so you can report them accurately.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your Social Security number, date of birth, and an FSA ID (created free at StudentAid.gov) to start the FAFSA.
  • Have your previous year's tax return or W-2 forms ready, even if you did not file taxes or had no income.
  • Gather records of any untaxed income like Social Security, workers' compensation, or military housing allowances.
  • If you are a dependent student, your parent or guardian will need their Social Security number and tax information as well.
  • Collect information about savings, investments, and real estate you own, since the FAFSA asks about assets.

Information about your savings and assets

The FAFSA asks whether you have money in savings accounts, checking accounts, or money market accounts as of the date you submit the form. You do not need exact balances — estimates are acceptable — but have your most recent bank statements available so you can report them accurately. This includes accounts in your name only.

You will also report investments like stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. Real estate you own (other than your primary home) counts as an asset. If you own a farm or a business, the FAFSA has separate questions about those. Gather any statements showing the current value of these assets.

The FAFSA does not count retirement accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs as assets, so you do not need to report those. It also does not count your primary home or the money in it.

Parent information if you are a dependent student

If you are a dependent student, your parent or guardian will need to provide their own Social Security number, date of birth, and FSA ID. They will also need their previous year's tax return or W-2 forms, just as you do. If your parents are married and filing jointly, you will need information from both of them on one FAFSA.

Your parents will report their own income, untaxed income, and assets using the same process you use for yours. If your parents are divorced or separated, only the parent you live with most of the time (or the parent who claims you as a dependent) reports information on the FAFSA, unless your school has different rules.

If your parents do not want to provide their information or you cannot reach them, you may be able to complete the FAFSA without them, but this is rare and depends on your situation. Contact your school's financial aid office to ask whether you may have access to as an independent student.

School codes and enrollment information

You will need the Federal School Code for each college or university you want to attend. This is a six-digit number you can find on each school's website or by searching the Federal School Code database at StudentAid.gov. The FAFSA lets you list up to ten schools, and you can add more schools later if you need to.

Have your high school diploma or GED certificate information ready. The FAFSA asks whether you have completed high school and what year. If you are still in high school, you can still complete the FAFSA — just select the year you expect to graduate.

Citizenship and immigration status

The FAFSA asks about your citizenship status. You will need to provide your citizenship status (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or other) and, if applicable, your Alien Registration Number (also called an A-number or USCIS number). This number appears on your green card or immigration documents.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may still be able to complete the FAFSA, but your options for federal aid may be limited. Some states and schools offer aid to undocumented students or students with certain visa statuses. Your school's financial aid office can tell you what you are may be able to access for based on your immigration status.

Driver's license and state of residence

If you have a driver's license, have it available — the FAFSA asks for your license number and the state that issued it. If you do not have a driver's license, you can leave this blank.

The FAFSA asks what state you live in. If you have recently moved, use your current state of residence. If you are a dependent student, your state of residence is usually your parent's state, even if you live away at school. Some states have their own aid programs that depend on your state of residence, so this matters for your total aid package.

What you do not need to gather

You do not need to have been accepted to a school before you complete the FAFSA. You can list schools you are considering, and they will receive your information once you submit the form. You also do not need to decide which school you will attend — the FAFSA is just the first step in the aid process.

You do not need to print anything or mail anything to complete the FAFSA. The entire form is completed online at FAFSA.gov, and your information is submitted electronically. Some schools may ask for additional documents after you submit the FAFSA, but those are separate from the FAFSA itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I complete the FAFSA without my parent's information?

Most dependent students must include their parent's information. However, if your parents are unavailable, unwilling to help, or your situation is unusual, contact your school's financial aid office. They can tell you whether you may have access to as an independent student or whether your school has a workaround.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You need a Social Security number to complete the FAFSA. If you do not have one, you can apply for one through the Social Security Administration. Some schools may have alternative processes for students without a Social Security number — contact the financial aid office to ask.

Do I need to have my taxes filed before I complete the FAFSA?

No. You can complete the FAFSA using estimates of your income and then update it later with your actual tax information. Many students complete the FAFSA before their taxes are filed, especially early in the year. You can make changes to your FAFSA after you file your taxes.

What if my parents are divorced — whose information do I use?

Use the information from the parent you live with most of the time, or the parent who claims you as a dependent on their taxes. If you split time equally between both parents, use the parent who claimed you most recently. Your school's financial aid office can clarify if you are unsure.

Can I list more than ten schools on the FAFSA?

The FAFSA form itself holds ten schools, but you can add more after you submit. Log back into your FAFSA and add additional schools at any time. There is no limit to how many schools you can list total.