Use the correct financial year
The 2026–27 FAFSA form covers attendance from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027 and requests 2024 federal tax information. Do not substitute a different tax year because current income has changed.
Award year and deadlines
- Confirm which award year covers the dates you will attend.
- Record the earliest deadline from every school you are considering.
- Check the deadline and any separate application for your state of legal residence.
- For 2026–27 federal aid, submit by 11:59 p.m. Central time on June 30, 2027.
StudentAid.gov accounts
- A separate account for the student.
- A separate account for each required parent, spouse, or other contributor.
- Names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers when applicable, email addresses, and account recovery information.
- No shared usernames or passwords.
Identity and residence
- Student's legal name, date of birth, contact information, and permanent mailing address.
- Social Security number, or A-Number for an eligible noncitizen when requested.
- State of legal residence and the month and year residence began.
- High school completion information and school details requested by the form.
Contributor information
- Contributor email address for the invitation.
- Parent marital and living arrangements needed to identify the correct parent.
- Spouse information when the form requires a spouse contributor.
- Each contributor's consent, approval, completed section, and signature.
Tax, income, and asset records
- 2024 federal income tax returns for the student and contributors, even though much information may transfer directly from the IRS.
- W-2 forms and other records of money earned from work when needed.
- Records of child support received.
- Current cash, checking, and savings balances.
- Current investment, business, and income-producing farm information when the form requires it.
Every required person must provide consent and approval for the transfer of federal tax information, including a person who did not file a tax return.
Schools and submission
- Names of colleges, career schools, or trade schools to receive the form.
- Any state-specific ordering instructions shown in the form.
- Review of all answers before signature.
- Confirmation page and application status after submission.
After submission
- Review the FAFSA Submission Summary; it is not the school's aid offer.
- Correct allowed mistakes promptly.
- Respond to verification or document requests from each school.
- Contact the financial aid office about job loss, income reductions, major medical expenses, or other special financial circumstances.
- Compare final aid offers and understand which amounts are grants, work-study, or loans.
Official preparation sources
- Federal Student Aid — FAFSA checklist
- Federal Student Aid — Steps for parents
- Federal Student Aid — FAFSA Submission Summary