Social security number

Current bank statements

Driver’s license (if any)

Current mortgage and investment records (if any)

Alien registration card (if not a U.S. citizen)

2006 federal tax return (estimates are OK on tax questions)

2006 untaxed income records (if any)

2006 W2 forms and other record of money earned

The Personal Identification Number (PIN) is the code that the U.S. Department of Education uses to identify you online.

A PIN allows you to do the following on a FAFSA:

• Fill out an online renewal form next year

• Check the status

• Make corrections

• Electronically sign to speed up the process

To obtain a PIN, eligible students AND parents can visit www.pin.ed.gov (students and parents can each receive their own PINs). Click on “Apply for PIN” near the top of the page.

Allow four hours for PIN instructions to be sent via e-mail.

Do not reveal your PIN to anyone. The PIN allows anyone to electronically sign federal student aid documents and access your confidential information.

If you completed the FAFSA last year, you may receive a Renewal FAFSA link via e-mail, which should arrive in early January.

• A Renewal FAFSA is a shorter version of the regular FAFSA form.

Fill out the FAFSA (or Renewal) as soon as possible after January 1 each year you’re in college:  Early submission maximizes chances of receiving aid.

Fill out a “FAFSA on the Web” worksheet: Click “Before Beginning a FAFSA,” then “Print a Pre-Application Worksheet.”  Use the print-out as a guide before committing answers online.

• DO NOT enter online answers directly from the paper FAFSA.

• Web vs paper FAFSA questions are in a different order.

Review all data on the FAFSA every year: If you fill out the Renewal FAFSA, your eligibility may change from year to year, depending on your family’s circumstances.

Save your FAFSA online if you can’t finish it in one session: Click the “Save” button at the bottom of each step to save info for 45 days.

Once finished, print the FAFSA summary as well as the “Submission Confirmation” page (or write down your confirmation number and date). If completing the paper version, make a copy for your records.