How do I complete the FAFSA form?

Give yourself time and quiet. You'll need to find a place and time to complete the form without interruption.

Get organized. Gather your personal and family financial records. Here's a checklist of records you may need:

• Last year's federal tax returns.
• Checkbook stubs.
• Savings account and investment statements.
• Information relating to income including wages, dividends, Social Security benefits, welfare and other government payments, alimony or child support, Veterans Administration benefits, and disability benefits, etc.

Which financial records will I need?

Pull out a copy of your and your parent(s)' tax return from last year (parent(s)' forms are needed for dependent students only). If you or they haven’t filed a return yet, try to do that before you apply for financial aid. If you can't find last year's return, call the Student Financial Services Department at the school and we'll help you get a copy from the IRS. It is important to keep a copy of your tax return because you may be asked later to prove that the income indicated on the FAFSA is correct.

Involve other family members who must provide information. If you're considered a dependent for federal financial aid purposes, your parent(s) will need to complete the parent section of the form.

Determining Dependency Status

For the 2009–2010 financial aid award year, the Federal Department of Education uses these questions to determine whether a student is dependent or independent for the purpose of applying for Federal student aid, in most cases.

• Were you born before January 1, 1986?
• Are you married?
• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
• Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive at least half of their support from you?
• Are both of your­ parents deceased?
• Are you or were you, since age 13, a ward of the court?
• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
• Are you a veteran of active duty of the U.S. Armed Forces?

If you answer “NO” to all of these questions, you are considered to be dependent for the purposes of applying for Federal Financial Aid. You will need to have your parents complete the parent section of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

If you answer “YES” to any of these questions you are considered to be independent for the purposes of Federal Financial Aid. Your parents’ information is not required.

Is the information I send you confidential?

When you apply for financial aid, you are required to give the school detailed financial information. This may include a copy of your and your parent(s)’ federal income tax returns.

While this information is necessary to verify application statements, we appreciate the sensitive nature of individual tax returns. We hold all financial information you entrust to us in strictest confidence. You should also know that each school is bound by the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, which regulates the release of any personal information.

Tips for filling out your FAFSA form

Complete the FAFSA on the Web worksheet before starting the online application. If using the paper form, use a pen with dark ink, preferably black. The form instructions explain how to correct mistakes.

• Mark answers to questions only in the spaces provided. Be specific; a range of figures such as $200–$300 will not be accepted.
• You should feel free to call the school if you are unsure how to answer specific questions on the form.
• Remember to sign the form. A parent must also sign if he or she contributed information to the form.
• If applying online, you (and your parent) can create and use a personal identification number (PIN) to “e-sign” the form.