Ready to apply for financial aid? You’ll find everything you need to know here about filing your FAFSA.
Make sure you have the important pieces of information listed below. Having everything together before you start will make filling out the FAFSA easier.
To file your FAFSA, you (and one of your parents, if you are a dependent) need to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. This is a username and password combination that you’ll use to securely access your financial aid information and electronically sign your FAFSA.
Use the IRS data retrieval tool
When you update your FAFSA after filing your taxes, you may be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import your tax information directly into your FAFSA. You’ll find the IRS data retrieval tool in the Financial Information section of your FAFSA.
To use the tool to pull your tax information in automatically, you must have:
Find out if you’re eligible to use the tool
Enter your data by hand
If you're not able to use the IRS data retrieval tool, you can enter your data manually.
You’ll need your federal tax return and W2 form for the year before (if you file your FAFSA by December 31) or for two years before (if you file your FAFSA after January 1) AND
Use estimated data
You can file your FAFSA even if you haven’t completed your tax return yet (remember, you can apply for the next year as early as October 1). Select “Will File” on the FAFSA application and give your best guess at the numbers. After you file your taxes, you can update your FAFSA and change your status to “Already Filed.”
You’ll need your Social Security number. You’ll also need your parents’ Social Security numbers if you’re a dependent.
Not a U.S. citizen? You’ll need your alien registration number, also known as your alien number, A-Number, or USCIS#.
You’ll need information about your savings, investments, and business assets. You’ll also need information about your parents’ savings, investments, and business assets if you’re a dependent.
Once you’ve gathered everything you need, you’re ready to file your FAFSA. The online application will guide you through the process—just follow the directions on the screen. You’re all set!
Your dependency status is determined by a group of dependency questions on the FAFSA. If you can’t answer “yes” to any of the questions, you’ll be considered dependent and advised to supply parental information on your FAFSA.
You’re considered to be a dependent if you:
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.
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