1. Collect Documents
Include income tax returns, W-2 forms, and other records of income and assets. If you are under 24 years old, you will likely need your parents' information as well. You could estimate your tax information if you did not complete your tax return and correct the information later. It is helpful to fill out the 'FAFSA on the Web' worksheet first. You can get the worksheet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I complete the 'FAFSA on the Web' worksheet rather than just fill in the FAFSA and use that when I apply online?
This worksheet is set up to follow the order of questions that are on the online version of the FAFSA. The paper FAFSA has the questions in a different order so it is more difficult to transfer your answers to the online FAFSA.
How soon after January 1 should the FAFSA form be sent in? Is it better to wait until the income tax forms have been completed?
At CUNY, the first financial aid awards are sent in early April so it is recommended that you try to file your taxes early and file your FAFSA after you complete your taxes. It is better to file your taxes early, it is ok to use estimates of your income, so long as they are not very far off from the actual values. You will have an opportunity to correct any errors later.
