To maximize your financial aid package, you are going to need to get organized. You should begin gathering the documentation and financial records you will need to fill out the FAFSA in the month of December.
Here is a financial aid checklist showing all of the documents and records you will need:
A blank federal income tax form for the current year
A copy of last year's income tax return
W-2 forms (If you haven't received your W-2s yet, you can get an estimate from your pay stubs or your employer's payroll department)
1099s or an estimate of income (if any)
A record of all income for the current year and a record of deductible expenses (if self-employed)
Records of untaxed income (Social Security, welfare, etc.) received in the current year
Bank statements, brokerage statements, and investment records for the current year
Mortgage statements for the current year
Record of child support or alimony paid out or received in the current year
Records of medical and dental expenses paid in the current year
Student's driver's license and Social Security numbers.