ASA College Planning Center
Applying for Financial Aid
Necessary Documents & Information
To help you complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the CSS FINANCIAL AID PROFILE ®,
Please bring a copy of the following for us to keep in your file:
Your completed year Federal Income Tax Return (IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ), including allW-2 form(s).
Note on financial aid forms: The FAFSA will now be available on October 1st. This means that students can submit the FAFSA as early as October 1st using the Prior-Prior Year’s tax information. For the upcoming 2017-2018 FAFSA, students (as well as parents of dependent students) will need to provide only 2015 Income information.
OR a statement/printout of non-taxable income
Examples: TAFDC (formerly Welfare), Social Security Income (such as SSI or SSDI), Child Support, and Veterans Non-education benefits
OR other acceptable forms of documentation
Examples: Letters from clergy, guidance counselors, homeless shelters, or other service providers documenting your family’s financial situation.
In addition, please have the following information:
If you did not file taxes for the current year, bring W-2 forms and other records of money earned by you and by your parents, if you are a dependent student
A Copy of Your Permanent Resident Card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
(Turn over for a detailed checklist)
Checklist: Additional Information Needed to Complete Financial Aid Applications
FAFSA Application:
Your and your parents’ Social Security Numbers
Your Driver’s License Number (not Mass ID or learner’s permit)
The Date of Birth of your parent(s)
The Month & Year that you were married, separated, divorced or widowed OR the Month & Year that your parents were married, separated, divorced or widowed
Parents’ educational level
FSA ID (has replaced the FAFSA PIN effective May 10, 2015)
Note: Only the individual using the FSA ID should create it. If you are a dependent student, make sure your parent(s) create on in advance at fsaid.ed.gov or fafsa.ed.gov. If you are a parent and are filling the FAFSA for a dependent student, please have your child create one in advance atfsaid.ed.gov or fafsa.ed.gov. The FSA ID will consist of a username and password.
CSS FINANCIAL AID PROFILE ®:
All the above information needed for the FAFSA, plus:
Parents’ occupation, place of employment, and number of years at current place of employment
Own home? Monthly mortgage, current market value, purchase price, debt owed, and year purchased.
Own car? Make/model/year/purchase price
Monthly rental payment, if applicable
Other family member names, ages, relationships (siblings, grandparents), and if in college- cost and other expenses, and financial aid received
Additional Financial Aid Forms
Be sure to check college website or contact each school to determine whether it is necessary to complete and institutional financial aid form.