The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed by students applying for state, federal, and institutional financial aid. Even if you don't think you'll qualify for need-based financial aid, you should still complete the FAFSA to be eligible for student loans. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov after October 1st of the year prior to your college start date. Here are the steps your students/families should take when preparing to submit the FAFSA.

Find out the FAFSA priority deadline for your college(s).

Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it is crucial for you to submit your FAFSA in a timely manner. Although priority deadlines do not affect a student's eligibility for 联邦学生贷款, 如果你不早点提交, you may miss out on possible aid opportunities such as money awarded directly from the institution.

创建FSA ID.

If you 在线提交FAFSA, both you and one of your parents (if you are required to submit parental information) will need to create an FSA ID. 2015年5月10日.S. Department of Education replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN with the FSA ID in order to increase security for users. If you haven't logged into a Federal Student Aid site (such as fafsa.gov) since this date, you will need to create an FSA ID before you can log in going forward. The FSA ID is required to sign the online FAFSA application. You can also use your FSA ID to:

• Review and correct answers on your electronic 学生资助报告（SAR）
• Electronically sign loan promissory notes
• Reapply for student aid every year you are in school
• View information about federal loans and grants you have received

向选务处登记.

If you are male and at least 18 years old, you must register with 义务兵役 才能提交FAFSA.

找到你的学校代码.

You will need school codes so your FAFSA information can be sent to the schools to which you want to apply. Schools use your FAFSA info to create your financial aid package. Click here 查找学校代码.

Complete FAFSA在网上工作表.

If you are filing the FAFSA online, be sure to complete the FAFSA在网上工作表 so you can organize your information. This worksheet allows you to read and complete the questions before entering your information online. The questions are listed in the same order as they appear on the website.

参加经济援助研讨会.

一定要参加 经济援助工作坊 at your school, in your community, or virtually to learn more about filling out the FAFSA. Financial aid professionals will be able to answer any questions you have regarding the application. AAPS将与UM连接, UM-D and EMU to provide a number of opportunities for families to hear from financial aid professionals. There are already scheduled financial aid meetings on our district virtual calendar.

收集所需表格.

You will need the following information when you fill out the FAFSA:

• Student's driver's license and Social Security card
• Income tax returns from the prior-prior year
• W-2 forms and other records of money earned
• 活期银行对账单
• Records and documentation of other untaxed income received such as welfare benefits, 社会保障收入, 资深的好处, AFDC, 或军队或神职人员津贴
• Records of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments
• 当前按揭信息
• Business or farm records (if applicable)

了解你的历史.

If you filed a FAFSA last year, you can use your FSA ID to complete the online Renewal FAFSA. Since many elements of the FAFSA do not change (i.e. 你的姓名和出生日期), the online Renewal FAFSA will ask you to confirm last year's info and provide updated info for other entries such as your grade level.

Most of the above-mentioned steps can be completed before October 1st, which is the earliest you can submit the FAFSA for the following academic year. 通过做好准备, you can help ensure that your FAFSA will be filed in a timely manner so you can get as much aid as possible for your financial situation.