You play an important role when your dependent student applies for financial aid using
the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). You may be considered a “contributor” in their FAFSA process. This is decided by
dependency, tax filings, and marital status.
This means that you may need to contribute financial and demographic information separately
to complete your student’s FAFSA. Doing this doesn’t mean you’re financially responsible for your student’s education.
We can’t discuss applications, but our financial aid staff can answer questions or
offer resources.
What your dependent student needs from you...
- Your encouragement. Encourage your student to complete their FAFSA.
- Your legal name, SSN, and your email address as part of their FAFSA application. (This is so you can be invited to add your financial and demographic info to their application.)
- Accept the emailed invitation from the U.S. Department of Education.
- Create your own FSA (Federal Student Aid) account. It can take 1-3 days for your ID
to be verified. (If you received aid as a student, use that FSA ID.)
- Gather what you need to complete the FAFSA: your prior-prior year tax return if you
filed one, the current amount in your checking and savings, the net worth of your
assets, the net worth or businesses or farms, and the amount of child support received.
- Complete the FAFSA. You’ll need to electronically sign your FAFSA form and give the
IRS consent to transfer your federal tax information to the form.
- Remind your student to apply for state and ACM scholarships.
- Review our Student Consumer Information, so you know our financial aid requirements.
- Be informed about Parent Loans, if needed.
