FAFSA FAQ
Select a topic below to view related frequently asked questions about the FAFSA:
General Questions
What is the FAFSA and why is it important?
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is the application for federal types of aid such as grants, scholarships, loans and work-study. The FAFSA is also required for some types of state, institutional and private aid.
Am I eligible to apply?
All students are eligible to apply for financial aid. By filling out the FAFSA form, colleges and universities are able to determine what types of aid you are eligible for and how much.
What information will I need to file the FAFSA?
Download a copy of our What to Bring handout.
What if my parent(s) and I have not filed our taxes before the program date?
You can still attend the event even if you have not filed your taxes yet. Please download a copy of our What to Bring handout, which lists the alternative paperwork needed if you have not filed your taxes.
What if I don't have a Social Security number?
A Social Security number (SSN) is required to file a FAFSA. If you don't have one, you will not be able to receive federal financial aid, but do not let this discourage you from going to college. Scholarship opportunities are available. Call (877) 272-4692 or e-mail CGS@ICANsucceed.org to discuss your options.
If you have a Social Securtiy number and your parents don't, you can still file the FAFSA as long as your parents file their income tax using their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Your parents can then fill in zeros for their SSN.
Do I have to list my parental information on the FAFSA?
You do have to list parental information on the FAFSA if you are considered a dependent student by federal financial aid standards. Independent students need only supply their own (and spouse's if applicable) income information.
How can I be considered an independent student?
To be considered an independent student for the 2009-2010 school year, you must answer "yes" to at least one of these questions:
- Were you born before January 1, 1986?
- As of today, are you married? (Answer "yes" if you are separated but not divorced.)
- At the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program?
- Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
- Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
- Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
- Do you have dependents (other than your children or a spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2009?
- When you were age 13 or older, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a ward/dependent of the court?
- As of today, are you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
- As of today, are you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of an emergency shelter funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
If you cannot answer yes to at least one of the above questions, you will be considered a dependent and have to list parent information. If you feel you have a situation that should be considered independent, please contact your college's financial aid office.
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Completion Questions
My parents are divorced. Do I use my mother's or father's financial information on the FAFSA?
You must use the financial information for the parent with whom you lived most during the past 12 months. If you lived with each parent equally or lived with neither parent, then you should use the information of the parent from whom you received the most financial support. If this parent is remarried as of today, you must report the stepparent's information as well.
My parent lost their job. How do I complete the FAFSA?
If you or your family has unusual circumstances that might affect your eligibility for student financial aid, submit the FAFSA, and then consult with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend.
Do I include the value of my 401(k) or my spouse's IRA as untaxed income on the FAFSA?
You do not include the value of any qualified retirement account on the FAFSA. However, you do report the contributions that were made into tax-deferred pensions or savings plans (paid directly or withheld from earnings) during the year. You should include amounts reported on your W-2 Form in Box 12a-12d, codes D, E, F, G, H and S. This would include a 401(k), 403(b) and any other tax-deferred pension or savings plan. (Contributions should be reported in question 95a on the FAFSA.)
We are farmers and we live on our farm. Do we report the value of the farm on the FAFSA?
If you live on your farm and you materially participate in the farming of the land, it is considered a family farm and does not need to be reported on the FAFSA (you do not need to include the value of land, buildings, machinery, equipment or livestock etc). Farmland that you own but is farmed or rented by someone else would be considered an investment farm and the net worth would be reported on the FAFSA. If you have a question regarding whether or not your farm is a family farm, contact the financial aid office at your college.
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Follow-up Questions
How can I check the status of my FAFSA application?
You can check the status by going to www.fafsa.gov or calling (800) 4FED-AID.
What happens next?
After completing the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR includes a summary of the information you submitted on your FAFSA as well as your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). A copy of your SAR will also be sent to the school(s) you listed on the FAFSA. If you've already been accepted at that institution, the financial aid office there will begin creating your financial aid package. For more on the financial aid process, view our Financial Aid FAQ.
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