FAFSA is the acronym for Federal Application for Student Aid.  You may complete the FAFSA application in one of three ways: online, which is highly recommended, by signing a PDF application, or calling an 800 number and receiving a paper FAFSA hard copy in the mail.

Before explaining how to use each of these options stated above, we will provide a list of the documents you will need before starting your application. Build your own check list so you will not forget any of the items outlined below.   

Documents list

1. Your social Security card.
2. Drivers license or State identification
3. permanent resident receipt card if applicable
4. W2 forms or records of money earned during the past 12 months
5. 2010 income tax return, if you do not have this document please view the instructions on the FAFSA.
6. Records of child support paid if this applies to you.
7. Your records of taxable earnings from student based work.  For example if you are  in a work study program.
8. Records of student grants, scholarships, and Fellowship aid including AmeriCorps Awards, which you may have received.
9. Current stock, bond, or other investment records.
10. Current business and farm records if applicable.
11. Current bank statements
12. If you are a dependent student, your parent’s bank statements will be needed.
13. Read through the privacy act regarding use of your social security number.

FAFSA completion methods

If you plan to complete your FAFSA on the web, please visit: www.fafsa.gov.  Click on the link marked start here.  You will be asked to provide the following information.

1. your Name, first, middle, and last
2. date of Birth
3. Social Security Number
4. Apply for a Federal student aid PIN if you do not have one.  The Pin will save you time. 
5. Parents of dependent students need to apply for a PIN if they do not have one.
6. Plan how you are going to sign your FAFSA using a PIN or signature page.
7. read through eligibility requirements.  If you have questions E-mail them to cpascal@search4college.com
8. pay special attention to all important application deadline dates, you can refer to www.fafsa.gov for reference.
9. If you do not sign your FAFSA online, you will need to print out a hard copy of the application and mail it to the address stated on the document. You have 14 days to submit your hard copy. Submitting a signature will increase the process time for your application.
10. When filing electronically or online, your application can be submitted to the schools you listed on your FAFSA.
11. Read through your completed FAFSA form at least twice to ensure no information has been left out.
12. Blank boxes are a time killer, avoid them at all times.

PDF FAFSA

Please visit: www.studentaid.ed.gov/PDFfafsa

You may type in your responses on the form and print it, or you may print out the form and fill in your answers.  The PDF FAFSA requires a signature page and will take longer to process. 

Paper FAFSA

If you want to complete a paper FAFSA, call the Federal Student aid information center at 1-800-4-333-333. 

A FAFSA form will be mailed directly to you.  Please fill out the form using a black pen, no other colors will be accepted. 

When reporting dates, numbers below ten should have a 0 in front of the number.  For example February is written 02 and May is expressed as 05.  When rounding dollar amounts, please round to the highest dollar.  For example $9.99 will be rounded to $10. 

Please do not leave any questions blank in your electronic or paper forms unless specifically told to do so.  Blank boxes will slow down your application.