Organize Your Financial Aid Documents

It’s a good idea to get organized before you start the process of applying for college student financial aid. Set aside a drawer or file cabinet to hold the documents that you will need to apply for financial aid so you don’t find yourself having to rummage through stacks of paper every time you fill out an application.

Documents Needed for FAFSA

You will need the following information to complete the FAFSA financial aid forms necessary for determining federal student financial aid eligibility. Many scholarship and state programs will also require copies of or information from these documents.

• Social security number
• Drivers license
• W-2 and 1099 forms
• Most recent federal tax return
• Records of your family’s untaxed income from the past year(for example, Social Security, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Veteran’s benefits, welfare, etc.)
• Most recent bank statements
• Business income records
• Mortgage information
• Investment information (stocks, bonds, etc)
• For Non-US citizens, a permanent resident card or alien registration number
• Dependent students will need all information for themselves and their parents
• Married students will have to supply information for themselves and their spouses

Additional Documents

If you plan to apply for any scholarships or other types of financial aid assistance, it is a good idea to keep these additional documents with the information you will need to complete the FAFSA:

• High school transcripts
• Transcripts for previous college work
• Contact information for references
• Copies of letters of recommendation
• A current resume
• Scholarship application essays
• Statement of career goals
• Any other relevant documentation