The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is the application form that is required before you can receive any form of federal financial aid. You can use either the paper FAFSA or you can file on the Web electronically. The FAFSA asks several questions about family finances, and you list your college choices.

You can get a copy of the FAFSA from any high school or college. Even if you won't be going to college for a while, you might want to get a FAFSA to see what types of questions are asked. If you are planning to go to college in the next academic year, get a FAFSA right away!

You should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 to be considered for the next academic year. Some schools have earlier deadlines so be sure to check with the campus financial aid office for campus-specific deadlines.

%0d%0a%0d%0aSimple advice: Find out every college's FAFSA deadline and meet the EARLIEST deadline...then you have met them all! If deadlines have already passed, FILE YOUR FAFSA ANYWAY! A large portion of the money is available for many months after the first early deadlines. You probably won't get the best aid, but you might still qualify for federal grant and loan.

If you don't meet one of the federal criteria to be an independent student, you will have to supply your parents' information on the financial aid application. If extremely adverse family circumstances prevent you from supplying your parents' information, contact the financial aid office to discuss your situation. Read the FAFSA instructions to help guide you.

The FAFSA asks for specific types of untaxed income. Untaxed income is income received that is not subject to U.S. income taxes, but is required to be reported on the FAFSA. It includes Social Security and veterans benefits, welfare, child support, pensions, military subsistence allowances, IRAs, KEOGHs, TSAs, etc. You should check the untaxed income worksheet in the FAFSA application to determine if there is untaxed income that needs to be reported. Read the FAFSA instructions to help guide you.

Yes. It would be a good idea to start a file folder or binder of all of the important papers related to your college admission and financial aid applications. Keep copies of your completed applications and FAFSA, your Student Aid Report, a copy of any additional documents that you might have supplied to the college financial aid office, and any correspondence with the federal processor, the campus financial aid office, or other financial aid or scholarship agencies.