FAFSA

Western High School

What do I need to bring to fill out my FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available October 1st of every year.

It must be filled out as soon as possible for the student to be eligible to receive financial aid.

*** Go to www.fafsa.gov to fill out the form ***

What you will need:

Students:

  • Social Security Number
  • Driver's License Number
  • Tax form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ
  • W-2
  • Recent Bank Statements

Parents:

(A Parent is defined as the biological parent or step-parent of the student or an adopted parent. A legal guardian does not qualify as a parent)

  • Social Security Number
  • Birthdates
  • Marriage/Divorce/Separation Date
  • Tax Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ
  • W-2
  • Recent Bank Statements

An Independent Student is defined as:

  • Born before January 1, 1988
  • Married or separated by not divorced
  • Achieved 1st Bachelor's Degree by July 1, 2012 or working on a 2nd Bachelor's Degree or Graduate program work.
  • Is on active military duty or is a honorably discharged veteran
  • Has a child that will receive more than 51% of their support between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012
  • Has a dependent that the student provides more than 51% of support to.
  • Is an emancipated minor
  • Have you been placed in legal guardianships by the court since age 13
  • Both Parents are deceased since age 13
  • At any time since age 13 the student has been a ward of the court
  • *At any time on or after July 1, 2010 the student has been deemed homeless or unaccompanied youth by a homeless liaison, director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determined that the student was at-risk at of being homeless

Questions?? Call me!

How to use the IRS website for FAFSA filing

How to Use the IRS Retrieval Database to Update My FAFSA?

The IRS Retrieval Database is a tool that links electronically filed taxes to your FAFSA.

  1. Fill out FAFSA using your last year taxes (when using this option please select WILL FILE)
  2. Electronically file your taxes for the current year
  3. The IRS Retrieval Database is available Feb 1 of every year
  4. Wait 7-10 days after electronically filing to update your FAFSA
  5. Go to fafsa.gov
  6. Click START HERE
  7. Follow the steps for accessing your FAFSA
  8. The webpage will ask you if you would like to use the IRS Retrieval Database click yes
  9. The IRS webpage will open as a new window
  10. At the bottom of the page it will ask you if you would like to import information to you FAFSA- select this option
  11. Click on the button that says Import to FAFSA
  12. You should be directed back to FAFSA.gov
  13. Check that the information has imported to your FAFSA
  14. Electronically Sign the FAFSA using your PIN
  15. Resubmit your FAFSA

Questions?? Call me!