FAFSA Requirements: What You Need To Complete Your Application

Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) goes a lot smoother when you gather a few key details first. You will be asked for personal identifiers and (in most cases) income and asset information for you and any required contributors, such as a parent or spouse. 

This guide walks you through the core FAFSA requirements, the documents you may want on hand, what changes based on dependency status, and a simple prep checklist so you can submit confidently and avoid delays.

Key Takeaways

• You will typically need your Social Security number (if you have one), contact details, and financial information such as tax and income records. 
• FAFSA uses tax information from two years prior to the aid year (For example: the 2026–27 FAFSA uses 2024 tax info).
• If you are a dependent student, you will provide parent information (and in some cases a stepparent). If you are independent, you generally provide only your own (and a spouse’s, if married).
• Creating your StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) before you start helps you sign and submit faster.
• Submitting early matters because school and state deadlines can come much sooner than the federal deadline.
• Not all accredited universities use FAFSA; some, like University of the People, follow a tuition-free model with low assessment fees and internal scholarships instead of federal aid.

Basic FAFSA Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for federal student aid through FAFSA, you generally must meet core eligibility rules, such as:

• Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or an eligible noncitizen (such as certain permanent residents).
• Valid identifier: Typically a valid Social Security number, with limited exceptions.
• Education requirement: A high school diploma, recognized equivalent (like a GED), an approved homeschool completion, or an eligible alternative pathway.
• Enrollment: Enrolled or accepted as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program at a school that participates in federal aid programs.
• Satisfactory academic progress: Once you are in school, you must maintain your school’s SAP standards to keep aid.
• Selective Service registration: If you are required to register (generally males ages 18–25), you must do so to be eligible for federal aid.

Important update: Drug convictions no longer affect federal student aid eligibility.

Personal Information You’ll Need

Every FAFSA submission starts with basic identity and contact information.

For The Student

Have these ready:

• Social Security number (if you have one)
• Date of birth and legal name (as shown on official documents)
• Current mailing address, email, and phone number
• Driver’s license number (if you have one)
• Citizenship or eligible noncitizen status information (if applicable)
• Selective Service status (if applicable)

For Parents (Dependent Students)

If you are a dependent student, you will need contributor details for your parent(s), such as:

• Parent Social Security number (if applicable)
• Parent name, date of birth, and contact details
• Parent marital status and household information
• Parent account access (each contributor uses their own StudentAid.gov account credentials)

Financial Documents Required For Completing FAFSA

FAFSA asks about income and assets. The easiest way to avoid mistakes is to gather documents before you start.

Federal Tax Returns

FAFSA uses tax information from two years prior to the academic year you are applying for (prior-prior year). For example, the 2026–27 FAFSA uses 2024 tax information.

Depending on your situation, your tax information may be imported electronically through the FAFSA process, or you may need to reference your return to answer questions accurately.

W-2 Forms And Income Records

Have records that show income for the relevant tax year, such as:

• W-2s from your employer(s)
• 1099s (if you did contract work, self-employment, or received certain other income)
• Records of certain untaxed income (examples can include child support received or veterans benefits, if applicable)

Asset Information

You may need current values for:

• Checking and savings account balances
• Investments such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds (excluding many retirement accounts)
• Certain business or farm values (when required by FAFSA rules)

Dependency Status And Information Needs

FAFSA determines whether you are considered dependent or independent. That status controls whether parent information is required.

Dependent Student Requirements

If FAFSA considers you dependent, you will provide parent contributor information and financial details, even if your parent is not paying for school.

If your parents are divorced or separated, FAFSA typically relies on the parent who provides more financial support (and may include a stepparent if that parent is remarried). (This is one of the most common areas where people get stuck, so double-check the FAFSA guidance if your family situation is complex.)

Independent Student Requirements

If FAFSA considers you independent (for example, you are 24+, married, a veteran, have dependents of your own, or meet other criteria), you generally provide only your own information, and a spouse’s if you are married.

Creating Your FSA ID

Your StudentAid.gov account (often called an FSA ID) is what you use to sign and submit the FAFSA online. Each person must have their own account, and you cannot share one account across family members.

In many cases, required contributors will also need to create an account to complete their sections.

FAFSA State-Specific Requirements

In addition to federal financial aid, many states and colleges use FAFSA information to award their own grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. These state-based aid programs often have earlier deadlines than the federal FAFSA deadline and may be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning students who file late could miss out even if they qualify.

Some states also require additional steps beyond submitting FAFSA, such as completing supplemental forms, meeting residency verification requirements, or confirming enrollment at an in-state institution. Because deadlines and requirements vary widely by state and school, the safest approach is to submit FAFSA as early as possible and then review the financial aid pages for your state and each college you listed. Doing so helps ensure you do not miss important deadlines or overlook additional actions needed to receive state or institutional aid.

Preparing To Complete FAFSA

A little organization up front can save you a lot of time.

Document Checklist

Before you start, gather:

• Social Security number (if you have one)
• Tax return information from the required year (two years prior)
• W-2s and other income records
• Current bank balances and investment values
• Parent information (if you are dependent)

Timing Considerations

FAFSA availability can vary by year, but it typically opens in the fall. For example, the 2026–27 FAFSA indicates you can submit it no earlier than October 1, 2025.

Submitting early is important because some aid is limited and many state and school deadlines come up quickly.

What Should You Do After Submitting FAFSA?

After submitting your FAFSA, you will first receive confirmation that your application has been successfully received and is being processed. Within a few days, your FAFSA information will be reviewed and shared with the schools you listed. It’s important to check your email regularly, as this is how you’ll be notified of updates or follow-up requests.

Once your application is processed, review your FAFSA information carefully for accuracy. If you notice an error or if your financial situation changes, you can log back into studentaid.gov to make corrections and resubmit your application. You should also monitor each school’s financial aid portal for verification requests, additional documentation needs, and financial aid award notifications, as schools may require action from you before finalizing your aid package.

Conclusion

To complete FAFSA smoothly, you want your personal details (like identifying info and contact information), the right-year tax and income records, and current asset balances ready before you start. Your dependency status determines whether parent information is required, and your StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) is how you sign and submit online. 

When you gather documents first and file early, you reduce the risk of errors, delays, and missed deadlines, and you put yourself in the best position to qualify for federal, state, and school-based aid.

It’s also helpful to understand that not every accredited university uses FAFSA. University of the People, for example, does not participate in federal student aid and instead follows a tuition-free model with low, fixed assessment fees and internal scholarships. Knowing which schools require FAFSA, and which do not, can help you plan your education costs more confidently.

FAQs

What documents do I need for FAFSA?

Commonly: SSN (if you have one), contact info, tax and income information (two years prior), and bank and investment balances. If you are dependent, you will also need parent contributor information.

Do I need my parents’ information for FAFSA?

If FAFSA considers you dependent, yes. If you are independent under FAFSA rules, you typically do not.

What tax year does FAFSA use?

FAFSA uses tax information from two years prior to the academic year you are applying for (example: 2026–27 uses 2024 tax info).

How do I create an FSA ID?

You create a StudentAid.gov account with a unique login. Each person (student, parent, spouse) needs their own account, and it acts as your electronic signature for FAFSA and federal student aid.