How to File the FAFSA

Checklist Before You Start

Before You Start

Go to WWW.FAFSA.Ed.Gov

Click on “Start a New FAFSA”

Enter the student’s information and click next.

Double check the information you just entered and then click next.

Click on “Start 2015-2016 FAFSA”

Choose a password. This will only be needed in the event you don’t complete FAFSA and need to return to

finish up information.

This is an introduction. Click next.

On this page you need to enter basic demographic information about the student. Then click next.

*I recommend entering parent email instead of student email*

Answer the dependency questions, then click next.

Type in the name of the student’s high school, choose the state, and then click next.

Select your high school then click “confirm.”

Search and add the colleges. You can send the FAFSA to

up to 10 colleges at a time.

These questions determine if a student is considered dependent or independent. Read and answer carefully.

If student is dependent, click that you will provide parental information, and then click “next.”

Answer questions.

Parent’s Demographic Information

•Once you select your parent’s marital status, additional information will be requested.

•If your parents are divorced or separated, you will need to include the date of divorce or separation.

•In the event that your parents are divorced, you will need to enter the information for the parent with whom the student lives more than 50% of the time. It doesn’t matter who claims the tax deduction.

•The number in college includes the student filling out the form, even if he or she is still in high school.

•However, the number in college doesn’t include any siblings who may be in graduate school.

Answer all questions then click “Next.”

If you are filing on an estimated basis, select “Will File” then answer the question on filing status.

See next slide for tips on how to answer these questions.

Your Adjusted Gross Income comes from here

Mother and father’s income from work comes from here.

Answer income related questions, then answer “yes” to dislocated worker only if you are currently unemployed. Then click “next.”

See next slides for tips on how to answer these questions.

“Taxes Paid” comes from here.

“Number of Exemptions”

comes from here.

“Contributions to retirement plans” come from here.

Notes About Assets:

•The first question is about the balance of cash, savings, and checking you have.

•Remember, Investments do not include the home in which your parents live; cash, savings and checking accounts; the value of life insurance and retirement plans (401[k] plans, pension funds, annuities, noneducation IRAs, Keogh plans, etc.).

•Business value is the liquidation value of all assets of the business.

•Remember, Business value does not include the value of a small business if your family owns and controls more than 50% of the business and the business has 100 or fewer full-time or full-time equivalent employees.

Review all questions, especially those about tax credits and untaxed income. When done, click “next.”

Now come questions about the student’s income and assets. If the student didn’t work or didn’t earn enough money to file taxes choose “Not going to file.”

Even if you aren’t filing taxes, you will need to enter the amount of money earned from work. If none, enter “0” then click “Next.”

This is where you enter untaxed income information and asset information. If a 529 plan is owned by the parent, it counts as a parent asset. Assets are as of the day you apply.

Click here to print a copy of your information for your records.

Both the student and the parent must sign. You can do so with a pin number, if you already have, or apply for a pin by clicking here. Both the student and one of the parents must have a pin.

The parent and student must also both agree to the “Terms of Agreement.”

If you don’t want to sign online, you can print a signature page and mail it in.

Don’t stop until you see this page. Below the list of school information, you will see your EFC and also be able to ask to have a copy of this confirmation emailed to yourself.

• James Maroneyjmaroney@firstchoicecollege.com

75 New Haven Avenue, Milford, CT 06460www.firstchoicecollege.com(800) 575-0950@1stChoiceCollegFacebook.com/FirstChoiceCollegePlacement