Students (and their parents, if they are dependent students) need access to certain documents to provide proof of identity. The FAFSA application requires the Social Security number of the student (and anyone else whose income is listed on the application). A driver's license number, if the student has one, is also required. Students who are not American citizens must also provide their alien registration number.
According to fafsa.ed.gov, students need to provide financial information for the year prior to the FAFSA application. In most cases, dependent students also need to include their parents' information. The documents that provide proof of income include the previous year's W-2s and any other records of income received. Federal income tax returns for the previous year, including foreign tax returns or those for Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories; current bank statements; and investment records, including mortgage information, are also necessary. Records of any untaxed income, such as Social Security benefits or worker's comp, are needed as well.
To claim independent status, a student needs to be able to demonstrate this. Emancipated minors, students who are or have been in a legal guardianship in their home state, married students, and those who have a child and provide most of the financial support for that child are considered independent, as well as anyone who is a veteran of or currently serving in the Armed Forces. Homeless youth and students with both parents deceased can also file as independent students. The independent student needs access to any documents that demonstrate independent status, such as marriage certificates, death certificates or court records.
For some students, there are special circumstances that must be considered when they file their FAFSA. Unusual circumstances include unemployment, medical bills and even elementary and high school tuition. A student claiming special circumstances files his FAFSA and includes as much accurate information as he can. After filing the FAFSA, the student contacts his school's financial aid office about the circumstances and provides the supporting documentation so that adjustments to his file can be made prior to the release of the financial aid award package.