What documents do I need to complete the FAFSA4caster?

The process for determining federal student aid eligibility is separate from the process of applying for admission to college. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the basic application that is used to apply for federal student aid. However, if you're not yet ready to file the FAFSA, you can submit a FAFSA4caster to receive an early estimate of eligibility.

It is a good idea to collect and organize the items on the checklist below before you start to fill out the FAFSA4caster to get an estimate of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). You may print a copy of this page by selecting the Print This Page button.

You will need financial information from 2006. You will need to refer to:

	Your Social Security Number (can be found on Social Security card)
	Your 2006 W-2 Forms and other records of money earned
	Your (and your spouse's, if you are married) 2006 Federal Income Tax Return IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ Foreign tax return, or Tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau
	Your parents' 2006 Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
	Your 2006 untaxed income records Social Security Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Welfare
	Your current bank statements
	Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stocks, bonds, and other investment records
	Your alien registration or permanent residence card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

Remember to answer all questions, even if you have to estimate or guess. You will have an opportunity to correct your data later.

Why all the questions to get an estimate of my EFC?

Many questions are straightforward, like your Social Security Number. But many questions are asked specifically for purposes of determining eligibility for federal student aid.

We enter your responses into a formula (known as the Federal Methodology), which is required by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The result is your Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. The EFC is a number that measures your family's financial strength. It is subtracted from the Cost of Attendance at the college(s) you plan to attend to determine your eligibility for federal student aid.