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You should have the following information and documents with you as you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form:
- An FSA ID to sign electronically (if you are providing parent information, your parent will need one, too)
- Your Social Security Number and full name
- Your parents' Social Security Numbers (if you are providing parent information)
- Your driver's license number (if you have one)
- Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
- Federal tax information or tax returns, including W-2 information, for you (and your spouse if you are married), and for your parents (if you are providing parent information).
- Income information:
- 2024-2025 FAFSA: Use 2022 income
- 2025-2026 FAFSA: Use 2023 income
- Records of your untaxed income such as child support received, interest income, and veterans non-education benefits for you and for your parents (if you are providing parent information).
- Information on cash, savings and checking account balances; investments, including real estate but not including the home in which you live; and business and farm assets for you and for your parents (if you are providing parent information).
Required to file taxes
If you or your parents are required to file a tax return, you must do so in order to be considered for all Federal Student Aid.
Not required to file taxes
If you are not required to file taxes, select the “Will not file” option on the FAFSA application. You may have to provide proof of all income to the Office of Financial Aid for the tax year in question.
Reporting financial information
- You must include your step-parent’s financial information even if the step-parent is not helping you pay for your education.
- If your parents are legally separated or divorced but filed taxes jointly this year, you only need to provide financial information for the parent with whom you resided the longest during the preceding 12 months. If you did not live with either parent or lived with both equally, then the parent who provided the most financial support should provide financial information on the FAFSA.
Note: If you plan to get married after completing the FAFSA, your marriage status would still be considered single since that was your status at the time you applied. If your marital status changes from what you originally reported on the FAFSA, schedule an appointment with the Office of Financial Aid at wichita.edu/finaidappt.