FAFSA Information
Take the first step toward paying for college by filling out the FAFSA. We understand that the FAFSA can be vital to financing your student's education and are here to help with the many resources below.
What You Need to Complete the FAFSA
Student's Social Security Number
Parent's Social Security Number
Students Driver License Number if they have one
Student's Alien Registration Number if they are not a US citizen
Federal Tax Information or Tax Returns for the student and the parents if the student is still a dependent. Eligible students and parents who filed a U.S. tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) now have the ability to have their tax information transferred directly into the FAFSA form with the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT).
Untaxed Income Information such as interest income, noneducation veteran benefits, child support received for the student and the parents if the student is still a dependent
Financial Information such as cash, bank account balances, investment accounts, businesses and farms for the student and the parents if the student is still a dependent
What Happens After I Submit the FAFSA?
You did it! Once your FAFSA form has been submitted online, you can check its status immediately. If you submitted a paper application it takes 1-2 weeks from the mailing date to process. Within 3 weeks of submission, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). This is a summary of the FAFSA information that was submitted. Review your SAR to make sure there are no mistakes. You are able to go online and update some parts of your FAFSA if mistakes were made so be sure to check carefully.
If you are offered financial aid and decide to accept it - Congratulations! The financial aid office at the college where you have been accepted will explain how your aid will be paid out. They will also tell you if you need to fill out other forms or meet other requirements. Make sure you contact your college's financial aid office so you understand the process of receiving your student aid.
Video Resources
How to Create a StudentAid.gov Account
How to Fill Out the FAFSA Form
For more information, visit https://www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/fafsa-assistance/