Seven Steps to Conquer the FAFSA
#1
Choose your filing method.
There are three ways to complete your FAFSA:
• Complete the form online at www.studentaid.gov/h/ 
apply-for-aid/fafsa (this is the recommended filing method).
• Download a PDF of the form from www.studentaid.gov/ 
resources, complete it, and submit it by mail.
• Request a paper copy of the FAFSA by calling 1-800-433-3243  
or TTY 1-800-730-8913, complete it, and submit it by mail.
#4
Follow these tips. 
• The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is the easiest way to provide your  
tax data. This tool electronically imports tax return information 
from the IRS to the FAFSA. 
• You may designate up to twenty colleges to which you would  
like your online FAFSA sent. List a college in Pennsylvania first 
in order to be considered for state aid.
#2
Set up your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). 
Log on to www.studentaid.gov and click on the link to  
create your FSA ID. You will be prompted to:
• Select a username and password.
• Enter your email address, name, date of birth, Social Security  
number, contact information, and security challenge questions  
and answers.
• Review your information, and accept the site’s terms  
and conditions.
• Confirm your email address using a secure code, which is sent  
to the email address you entered when you created your FSA ID.
• Your parent/guardian will also need a separate FSA ID. If they, or 
another dependent, applied in the past, they already have one. 
Parents do not need a Social Security number for an FSA ID.
#5
#3
Organize your paperwork.  
You will need the following documents and information:
• Your Social Security number;
• Your alien registration number (if you are not a U.S. citizen);
• Your driver’s license number (if you have one);
• The most recent federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other  
records of money earned by you and your parents;
• Records of 2025 untaxed income (such as Social Security  
or public assistance) for you and your parents (if applicable);
• The most recent bank statements for you and your parents,  
and records of investments (if applicable); and
• Your FSA ID, and your parents/guardians’ FSA ID, which you  
will use to sign the forms electronically.
#6
Prepare to provide income verification.  
You may be asked to verify the income information which you 
provided on the FAFSA by supplying copies of documentation. 
• Check your mail and email frequently for any follow-up  
communications related to the FAFSA and respond promptly.  
(Note: if you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool discussed above,  
you are less likely to be asked to provide income verification.)
• Expect to be asked for verification if your parents didn’t file taxes.
#7
Review your FAFSA Submission  
Summary (FSS).  
Shortly after you submit your FAFSA signed with your FSA ID,  
your FSS will be available online. It summarizes the information 
you provided on your FAFSA and lists your Student Aid  
Index (SAI).
Penn State University
Submit your FAFSA as early as possible, 
beginning in October 2026.  
• Since some financial aid is limited and awarded on a first-come, 
first-served basis, the sooner you submit your FAFSA, the  
sooner it will be processed. Submitting the FAFSA early will  
put you in the best position to receive the maximum amount  
of financial aid for which you may be eligible.
• Check for any FAFSA deadlines at each school to which you  
are applying, and confirm that each received it in advance  
of that deadline.
Paying for College
47

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.