FAFSA Completion Guide

1. CREATE AN ACCOUNT FEDERAL STUDENT AID “FSA” ID

An FSA ID is a username and password you use on Federal Student Aid websites such as fafsa.gov and StudentLoans.gov. If you or your child are considered a dependent student, two unique FSA IDs are needed to complete the FAFSA form online:

• Parent’s FSA ID
• Student’s FSA ID

You and your child should create your FSA IDs now here. Your FSA ID serves as your legal electronic signature.

We encourage both child and parent to complete FAFSA together as it requires information from both.

2. START THE FAFSA FORM AT FAFSA.GOV

Go to fafsa.gov and click “Start A New FAFSA.”

3. FILL OUT THE STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS SECTION

Enter basic demographic information about yourself or your child. Make sure you enter you or your child’s personal information exactly as it appears on the applicant’s Social Security card.

4. LIST THE SCHOOLS TO WHICH YOU WANT YOUR FAFSA® INFORMATION SENT

In the School Selection section, add the schools you want to receive your information or your child’s information. You can add up to 10 schools at a time.

5. ANSWER THE DEPENDENCY STATUS QUESTIONS

In this section, you’ll be asked a series of specific questions to determine whether or not your or your child is required to provide parental information on the FAFSA form.

6. FILL OUT THE PARENT DEMOGRAPHICS SECTION

This is where parents’ demographic information is provided.

7. SUPPLY YOUR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

In this section, you’ll first be asked to provide parent financial information. This step is simple if you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT), which returned with the 2018–19 FAFSA form on Oct. 1, 2017, with additional security and privacy protections added.

8. SIGN YOUR OR YOUR CHILD’S FAFSA® FORM

You’re not finished with the FAFSA form until you and your child sign it. The easiest way to sign your child’s FAFSA form is online with your FSA ID. If your child is not present, after you sign your child’s FAFSA form with your FSA ID, save and exit the application and instruct your child to log into fafsa.gov to sign and submit his or her FAFSA form.