PCI Blog | Pinnacle Career Institute

7 Things You Need Before Starting the FAFSA

Written by Tracy Crabill | Nov 11, 2015 11:00:00 AM

The following is a 2015 list of items you need before you complete your FAFSA!

  1. Federal Student Aid PIN: In order to sign your FAFSA electronically, you will need a Federal Student Aid PIN. It can help prevent processing delays by getting a PIN before you begin the FAFSA application.  The process to obtain a PIN only takes few minutes, and well worth the time you will be saving in the long run!
  2. Social Security Number (SSN): Your SSN can be found on your social security card. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need your Alien Registration Number.
  3. Driver’s License Number:  Your Driver’s License Number can be found on the front of your Driver’s License.  If you don’t have a driver’s license, then proceed to the next step.
  4. Tax Records: You will need to use the most current income tax statement.  For example, if you are filling out the 2015–16 FAFSA, you will need 2014 income tax statement.  If you have filed your taxes already, you may be able to automatically import your tax information into the FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
  5. Record of Untaxed Income: This includes various income that may or may not apply to you.  For example, child support, interest income and veterans non-education benefits.
  6. Record of Assets: This includes the current balance in your checking and/or savings account, and investments such as, individual stocks, mutual funds, IRA’s and real estate.
  7. List of Schools You Are Interested In Attending: The schools you list on your FAFSA will automatically receive your FAFSA results electronically. They will use your FAFSA information to determine the types and amounts of financial aid you may receive. 

If you’re a dependent student, your parents will need to provide all the information listed in the above bullet points as well.