Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) might seem overwhelming, but MI Student Aid is here to help! We’re sharing everything you need to fill out your FAFSA. Good news: The new form is easier than ever. Most students and families complete it in less than 15 minutes.
The FAFSA unlocks access to loans, work-study programs, grants and scholarships — like the
Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which offers tuition-free community college, up to $27,500 at a university or up to $4,000 for career training. Organizing all your information in advance will make filling out the form much easier. When you’re ready, head to
FAFSA.gov to complete the FAFSA. The sooner you do, the more money you could get!
Gather this Student and Parent/Contributor information before you begin:
Additional Contributors may include the student’s adoptive parents, stepparents or spouse.
- FSA IDs and passwords
- Create FSA IDs (both student and parent) at studentaid.gov. Allow three to five days for the Social Security Administration to verify the FSA IDs.
- Email addresses
- Student, Parent, Additional Contributor
- Social Security numbers
- Personal records or call Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213
- Dates of birth
- Student, Parent, Additional Contributor
- Checking and savings account balances
- Student, Parent, Additional Contributor
- 2023 federal income tax forms and W-2s*
- Personal records or visit irs.gov/transcript
- Note: You may need 2023 federal income tax forms and W-2s if you changed your marital status since you filed your 2023 taxes or have unique tax circumstances
- Investments (e.g. stocks, bonds, mutual funds, 529 plans, rental properties) excluding home and retirement
- Student, Parent, Additional Contributor
- Current net worth of all business and/or farms
- Personal records or contact your accountant
- Child support received from the last complete calendar year
- Alien Registration Number/USCIS Number for eligible noncitizens*
- Contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at uscis.gov
- Note: Student only
Download 2025-25 FAFSA Checklist
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential is not affiliated with National Merit Scholarship Corporation or its registered trademarks National Achievement®, Achievement Scholarship®, or Achievement Scholar®.
