Start with your Social Security number and tax documents
The FAFSA for 2024-25 asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license or state ID number. 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 start filling out the FAFSA.
Next, gather your most recent tax return and your parents' most recent tax return if you are a dependent student. The FAFSA asks about income from the prior tax year — so for the 2024-25 school year, you will report 2023 tax information. Have the actual return in front of you, not just a memory of what you earned. If you filed taxes electronically, you can also link your IRS account directly to the FAFSA through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which pulls your information automatically and saves time.
If you have not filed taxes yet but expect to, you can still submit the FAFSA using estimates. You will need to correct the information later once your return is filed, but submitting early with estimates is better than waiting.
Key Takeaways
- You need your Social Security number, date of birth, and FSA ID (created at StudentAid.gov) to start the FAFSA.
- Gather your 2023 tax return and your parents' 2023 tax return if you are a dependent, or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to link your account directly.
- Have your driver's license or state ID, current bank and investment account statements, and records of any untaxed income like Social Security or veteran benefits.
- If you are independent, you will need your own tax information; if you are a dependent, you will also need your parents' information and they may need to create their own FSA ID to sign the form.
- Gather documentation for any special circumstances — such as proof of homelessness, foster care history, or unaccompanied youth status — before you start.
Bank and investment account information
The FAFSA asks about cash, savings, and checking accounts as of the day you submit the form. Pull up your most recent statements from all accounts in your name — and your parents' accounts if you are a dependent. You do not need to submit the statements themselves, but you need the balances so you can enter them accurately.
The form also asks about investments, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate (other than your primary home). If you or your parents own any of these, have the current value available. Some accounts, like 529 college savings plans and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, are treated differently depending on who owns them, so knowing the account type matters.
Income records beyond your tax return
Your tax return does not capture all income the FAFSA cares about. You will also need to report untaxed income, which includes Social Security benefits, veteran education benefits, workers' compensation, disability payments, and child support received. Gather statements or benefit letters showing these amounts for the 2023 tax year.
If you or your parents received a Pell Grant, work-study payment, or other student aid in 2023, that counts as untaxed income too. If you worked and had taxes withheld but did not file a return, you still need to report that income on the FAFSA. Have your W-2 forms or pay stubs showing gross earnings.
Parent information if you are a dependent
If you are a dependent student, your parents will need to provide their own FSA IDs and sign the FAFSA electronically. They will need their Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and the same tax and financial documents you gathered — their 2023 tax return, bank statements, and records of untaxed income. If your parents are divorced or separated, only the parent you live with most of the time (or the parent who claims you on taxes) needs to provide information, unless your school has different rules.
If your parents are married, both must sign the FAFSA, even if only one filed taxes. If one parent is deceased, you will indicate that on the form. Have your parents create their FSA IDs early — the process takes a few minutes but requires a valid email address.
Documentation for special circumstances
If you are homeless, in foster care, or an unaccompanied youth, the FAFSA has a separate path that does not require parental information. Gather documentation of your status — a letter from a homeless services provider, foster care agency, or school counselor confirming your situation. The exact proof varies by state and school, so contact your school's financial aid office to ask what they accept.
If you are a dependent student whose parents refuse to provide information or sign the FAFSA, you may be able to claim independent status through a dependency override. This is not automatic and requires written documentation of your situation — such as a police report, court order, or letter from a counselor. Start by talking to your school's financial aid office about whether an override is possible in your case.
State-specific documents and additional forms
Some states require additional forms or documents beyond the federal FAFSA. For example, if you are a California resident, you may need to complete the California Dream Act application if you are undocumented or a DACA recipient. If you are a Texas resident, you might need to verify your residency status. Check your state's higher education agency website or your school's financial aid office to see whether your state has extra requirements.
You may also need to complete a CSS Profile or school-specific financial aid form if you are applying to private colleges or universities. These forms ask for more detailed financial information than the FAFSA and have their own document requirements. Your school will tell you if you need to submit these forms.
What you do not need to submit
You do not need to upload or mail any documents to complete the FAFSA itself. The form asks for information, and you enter it directly. However, after you submit the FAFSA, your school may ask you to verify the information you reported — this is called verification. If your school requests verification, they will tell you which documents to send and by what deadline. Common verification documents include your tax return, W-2 forms, and bank statements, but the school decides what they need.
Do not send documents to the federal FAFSA processor. Wait for your school to ask. Sending unsolicited documents slows down processing and can create confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my parents' 2024 tax return if they have not filed their 2023 return yet?
No — the FAFSA for 2024-25 requires 2023 tax information. If your parents have not filed yet, use estimates and correct the information later once they file. You can update the FAFSA after your parents' 2023 return is complete.
What if my parents are self-employed or own a business?
Gather their 2023 tax return, Schedule C (or other business tax form), and balance sheet or profit-and-loss statement if available. Self-employment income is reported on the FAFSA the same way as W-2 income, but schools may ask for additional business documents during verification.
Do I need to report my parents' retirement accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs?
No — retirement accounts that are in your parents' names are not reported on the FAFSA. However, if your parents withdrew money from a retirement account in 2023, that withdrawal counts as untaxed income and must be reported. Have the 1099-R form showing the withdrawal amount.
What if I do not have a driver's license or state ID?
You can use your passport, tribal ID, or other government-issued ID. If you have none of these, contact your school's financial aid office — they can tell you what alternatives they accept.
Can I start the FAFSA without all my documents ready?
Yes — you can save your FAFSA and come back to it. However, having your documents ready before you start means you can complete it in one session and submit it sooner, which may improve your chances of receiving aid if funds are limited.