You can obtain your copy of the FAFSA in three ways: as a web-based form to be completed and submitted on line, as a PDF file you download on line but submit on paper, or as a paper form mailed to you by request (1-800-4-FED-AID). The Federal Student Aid Information Center recommends the on-line form, since it has built-in help functions to guide you through the questions and steer you from questions not applicable to you. It has the added advantage of getting your completed form to your schools faster. Remember, the FAFSA is available for free through its official web site; do not use a third-party web site that will charge you to download or complete it.
About 98 percent of FAFSA users complete and submit their forms on line. Because the FAFSA contains sensitive financial information and needs to be signed, the Federal Student Aid Information Center recommends that you set up a Federal Student Aid PIN that will serve as your electronic signature. Instructions on how to obtain a PIN are available on the FAFSA web site. If a parent claims you as a dependent, he or she must set up and use the PIN. The PIN has the additional benefit of allowing you (or your guardian) to access and correct your data on line and access your personal information on related federal student aid sites. It also allows you the option of having your personal identification information entered automatically if you submitted a FAFSA the preceding year. If you prefer not to establish a PIN, you will have to print out, sign and mail in a paper version of the FAFSA's signature page. This could delay the processing of your application.
Like many other financial forms, the FAFSA involves lots of paperwork, so it helps to be prepared. Do not leave any questions blank unless instructed to do so. You'll save time by collecting the documents and information you need and having them on hand before attempting to fill out the form. The FAFSA contains a checklist of documents you'll need; it would wise to review this checklist when organizing your information. Among the documents you'll need are those confirming identification (such as your driver's license and Social Security numbers), previous year's tax and employment records and other information related to your financial status, such as records of child support payments or investments.
If you have questions about how to fill out any of the questions on the FAFSA, there are several places you can go to for help. If you fill out the on-line version, the built-in help function may be able to answer your questions. Also, your school guidance counselor or financial aid office may be able to help you. Detailed information about how FAFSA questions are intended to be answered is also available at the Federal Student Aid Information Offices' web site. [4]. If none of these sources can answer your questions, you can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center, toll free, at 1-800-4-FED-AID.