Why is it important to submit accurate information?

You must fill out this form accurately. The information that you supply can be verified by your school, your state, or by Federal Student Aid.   You may be asked to provide U.S. income tax returns and other information. If you cannot or do not provide these records to your school when asked, you may not get federal student aid.  If you get federal student aid based on incorrect information, you will have to pay it back. You may also have to pay fines and fees. If you purposely give false or misleading information on your application, you may be fined $20,000, sent to prison, or both.

What do I need to keep in mind when filling out the FAFSA?

The words "you" and "your" always mean the student.  The word "school" means a college, university, graduate or professional school, community college, vocational or technical school, or any other school beyond high school.  Round to the nearest dollar and do not use commas or decimal points.   For dates, enter numbers that correspond to the month, day, and year. For example, for November 7, 1981, enter 11071981.  2009-2010 FAFSA questions that refer to the "school year" mean the school year from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.  Do not mail tax forms or Worksheets to Federal Student Aid.
Check with your financial aid administrator if you have unusual circumstances.

The documents that you will need to complete a FAFSA application include the following:

Make sure credit score is adequate.

Your Social Security Number
Your drivers license
Your current W-2 Forms and other records of income
You and your spouse's most recent Federal Income Tax Form
Your Parent's most recent Federal Income Tax Return
Your most recent untaxed income records
Your current bank statements

 Student Financial Aid on the Web

 Student Financial Aid on the Web is another important resource.  The U.S. Department of Education's site for free information on preparing for and funding your education beyond high school is an important source of information.  Whether you're in elementary or high school, parent or counselor, our site offers for all a wealth of information and publications that Will help you with your financial aid.  They are there to help you make informed decisions regarding all phases of a college, technical or trade school education and career choice.