Free tool · Paying for college · Grades 11 to 12

What you need for the FAFSA

Gather these before you start, and the FAFSA goes much faster. Each contributor (student and parents) needs their own account.

Your progress

Accounts

Student creates a StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID)
Each parent contributor creates their own StudentAid.gov account
Each contributor gives consent to share federal tax information

Information

Social Security numbers (or the required information if a contributor does not have one)
Federal tax returns for the year the FAFSA asks about
Balances of cash, savings and checking accounts
Value of investments and of a business or farm, if any
Records of child support received

College list

Up to 20 colleges to receive the FAFSA
State and college aid deadlines, which can be earlier than the federal one

General information from Caveat Academic Services, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules vary by state, school and college; confirm with each one.

Want help with this part? Your Caveat advisor walks your family through the FAFSA and compares aid offers line by line.

Book a free 20-minute call See the Caveat shop

This tool is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Each college decides admission, aid and how credit counts, and requirements change; check each college's own pages. Examples are examples, not promises. Caveat Academic Services is an independent college preparation company. Students do all of their own work.