Prepare for the FAFSA 

Before completing the FAFSA, you should prepare by doing the following:

• Create an FSA ID for yourself (the student) at studentaid.gov if you have not previously created one.
• An FSA ID is an account and password that gives you access to the Federal Student Aid’s online system and serves as your electronic signature. You cannot create more than 1 FSA ID, as it is linked to your Social Security Number.
• Determine who will be a contributor on your FAFSA, such as your parent(s) or spouse, and assist them in creating their own FSA ID(s).
• FSA IDs must be created and go through a match process with the Social Security Administration before some parts of the FAFSA, such as IRS tax information direct import, can be completed. This match process usually takes about 1-3 days, so the student and all contributors should have FSA IDs created before attending a FAFSA assistance event like Cash For College.
• If you or your contributor(s) already have an FSA ID and have trouble logging in, please contact the FSA Help Desk at 1-800-433-3243 ahead of time to recover your account.

Completing the FAFSA 

Once you and your contributor(s) have created your FSA IDs and have been matched through the SSA, you will need to bring following with you to complete your 2025-26 FAFSA:

• FSA ID log in information for yourself and your contributor(s)
• 2023 tax return documents for yourself and contributor(s), including:
  • 2023 IRS 1040 tax returns
  • 2023 W-2 and/or 1099 earn statements