FAFSA Checklist: The Documents You Need
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When can I update my FAFSA application? The redesigned FAFSA for the 2024-25 academic year is available at FAFSA.gov. Applications can be submitted until June 30, 2025. The FAFSA for the 2025-26 academic year is expected to open in December 2024.
All U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal student aid, but they must fill out the FAFSA to qualify. Keep reading to figure out which documents you'll need to fill out the FAFSA, depending on which year's form you're working on.
2024-25 FAFSA checklist
The federal FASFA deadline for the new 2024-25 form is June 30, 2025 — but you shouldn't delay. Many schools and states set FAFSA deadlines a year or more earlier.
» MORE: 10 key changes for the new FAFSA For most students, this new FAFSA form requires fewer documents and less manual data entry. That's because the form directly imports income and tax information from the IRS.
Here are the documents you may need to fill out the 2024-25 FAFSA:
Your Social Security number, so you can create a StudentAid.gov account and request an FSA ID.
Your parents' Social Security numbers, if you are a dependent student.
Your 2022 tax returns.
Records of child support received.
Current balances of cash, savings and checking accounts.
Net worth of investments, businesses and farms.
2023-24 FAFSA checklist
You have until June 30, 2024 to fill out the FAFSA for the 2023-24 academic year. This older version of the FAFSA requires you to have more documents on hand, and you'll have to input more financial information manually. Gather the following documents before sitting down to fill out the 2023-24 FAFSA:
Your Social Security number.
Your parents’ Social Security numbers, if you are a dependent student.
Your driver’s license number.
Your A-number, if you are not a U.S. citizen
Your 2021 tax returns and documents, including IRS W-2 information and IRS Form 1040.
Records of your untaxed income, such as child support, interest income and veterans benefits.
Current balances of cash, savings and checking accounts.
Net worth of investments, businesses and farms.
How to answer FAFSA questions based on your status
Family structure (dependent students):
Family structure (independent students):
Immigration status:
