Completing financial aid forms for college may sound a bit scary at the onset, but by breaking down the task into three workable steps, it is really not that complicated. These steps are:
Locate printable financial aid forms, work sheets and due dates
Highlight support documentation requirements
Put it all together
Printable Financial Aid Forms

Although ancillary college financial aid forms might differ in look -- depending on the school that issues them -- the heart of the application is the FAFSA(1). Short for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, it is readily available from the federal government online (at no charge). As a general rule of thumb, the deadline for filing the federal FAFSA is June 30th.


Since there are numerous federal and state financial awards tied to properly completed financial aid forms, it pays for fill out the form as early as possible, especially since the deadlines for the states vary. These deadlines usually fall quite a bit earlier than the federal deadline. For example, the state of Connecticut has a February deadline, while Rhode Island offers an early March date.
Support Documentation for Financial Aid Forms

One of the most confusing aspects of filling out financial aid forms for college is the question over a student’s dependency status. Do you need your parents’ financial information or can you go it alone?


Generally speaking, you do not have to supply any documentation about parental income if (in 2010) you were born before 01/01/1987, are married, are an emancipated minor or have lived in foster care since the age of 13.


Should none of these conditions apply, you must have your parents’ tax returns before proceeding. Remember that you also need to have your own tax information handy, especially if you earned money. If you are not dependent but receive untaxed income, such as child support or workers’ compensation, the federal government requires verification of this income as well.


Make copies of your most recent bank statements; driver’s license, social security card and alien registration card (if applicable). When asked to provide documentation, never send in originals but only copies.
Putting it All Together

Completing financial aid forms for college is possible from the comfort of your home via the internet. This is a good option if you have not yet narrowed down the school you will attend; the forms allow for entering up to 10 prospective schools. Conversely, if you are enrolled in college it is a good idea to visit the bursar’s office and discuss your financial aid paperwork with a financial aid officer.


Schools rely on these workers to fact-check FAFSAs submitted by students. They also help to narrow down the dependency status in the more complicated cases. Draw on the experience of these professionals to evaluate your odds of receiving grants in addition to loans; this makes it possible to plan long-term for additional funding sources to complete paying for college with a minimum of loans.