This section is designed to help students and their families prepare for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. Students should review this information before starting the FAFSA.
Gather Important Documents
Before you start the FAFSA, gather the following documents that apply to your unique situation. You may need to refer to the personal or financial information on these items as you complete the aid application.
Financial References Tax return (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ)
Tax return transcript Tax schedules C, E, K W-2s (all jobs) Social Security benefits statement SNAP benefits statement TANF benefits statement WIC benefits statement Child support benefits statement Unemployment benefits statement Value of rental properties
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Personal References Social Security card Marriage certificate Divorce decree Legal custody or guardianship court orders Foster care or orphan/ward of court documentation DD214 veteran paperwork Selective Service registration Proof of Citizenship Alien Registration Number (ARN)
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Helpful Tips
fafsa.ed.gov is the free website — and the only website — you should use to apply for Federal Student Aid.
Create a FAFSA folder to keep along with your personal files. Make copies of the documents listed above in case you're selected for
verification. You might need to submit copies of these documents as part of your financial aid application to the RCGC Office of Financial Aid.
Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) when completing the FAFSA. If you weren't able to successfully use the IRS DRT on your application, it may be worthwhile to request a tax return transcript ahead of time. This will be helpful if you are selected for
verification, because the wait time for receiving the tax return transcripts by mail will already be accounted for.
Create Your FSA ID
Students and parents completing the FAFSA for the first time must create
Federal Student Aid (FSA) IDs. Students must create a separate ID from their parents using their personal email address and information.
Parents and students cannot use the same email address when creating this credential.
Students who filed the FAFSA in prior years and previously signed their applications using a four-digit PIN number must also create an FSA ID.
Helpful Tips
Do not use your high school email address (it will deactivate after graduation).
Write down username, password and security questions.
Questions and answers are case sensitive. Be sure to review the answers you type by clicking the small icon within the text box to ensure you are writing the answers down exactly how you type them.
After creating your FSA ID, you will receive an email containing a six-digit security code to validate it. Check your email immediately – this security code is temporary (5 minutes or less).
For more information or to troubleshoot FSA ID issues, call the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-557-7394.
Determine Your Dependency Status
Determine Your Dependency Status before you begin the FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education believes a student's family shares in the responsibility of paying for college. Therefore, students fitting the classification of "dependent" must report their parents' personal and financial information on the FAFSA.
If you're still unsure, consult the
Dependency Status Flow Chart. All you'll need to do is answer a few easy yes or no questions to gain further clarity.
Determine Which Parent to Report on FAFSA
Students who lived the same amount of time with each divorced parent should use the parent who provided more financial support during the past 12 months, or during the most recent 12 months that they actually received support from a parent. The parent who reports their data must sign the application along with the student. This parent must also have their own FSA ID.
Determine Which Parent to Report on the FAFSA.
