So you have applied to all the schools you want to and you are starting to receive acceptance letters. Now what? The next step is to apply for financial aid. Financial aid is a process and should be looked at that way. It all starts with the FAFSA which is not available until January 1st each year. However, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to get ready to complete it. The FAFSA requires several documents that you will need to have on-hand while you are filling it out. These documents are:

Student Information
• Your Social Security Card or Number
• Your Driver’s License or State ID (not required)
• Your 2013 W-2 Forms (if any)
• Your 2013 Federal Income Tax Return (or 2012 if you do not have 2013 completed)
• Your 2013 Untaxed Income Records
• Your Current Bank Statements
Parental Information
• Social Security Number
• 2013 W-2 Forms
• 2013 Federal Tax Return (or 2012 if you do not have 2013 completed)
• 2013 Untaxed Income Records
• Current Bank Statements
• Current Business and Investment Records
• Any other financial documents of your parents from the past year

Each college or university has a deadline that, if met, will allow you to be eligible to receive the highest level of financial aid. Knowing where documents with the deadlines can be found will save you time looking for them at the last minute.