Completing the FAFSA

Here’s what you’ll need before you start:

• Your Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
• Federal income tax returns, W-2s and other records of money earned for the correct year
• Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
• Records of untaxed income (if applicable)

If you’re listed as a dependent on a parent or guardian’s tax return, you’ll need most of this information from them as well.

(If you’ve already created your FSA ID for a previous year, you can skip this step.)

FSA stands for Federal Student Aid. This unique ID number gives you access to the agency’s online systems and it serves as your legal signature. You’ll use your FSA ID to sign your FAFSA every year, so be sure to record your login information.

1. Navigate to the FSA’s Create an Account page
2. Create a username and password, and enter your e-mail address
3. Each FSA ID requires a unique email address. You cannot use the same email for 2 different FSA ID accounts. If you are a dependent student and your parent does not have an email address you can create a free account for them online (Gmail, Yahoo!, Outlook, etc.)
4. Enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, contact information, and challenge questions and answers.
5. If you have a Federal Student Aid PIN, you will be able to enter it and link it to your FSA ID. You can still create an FSA ID if you have forgotten or do not have a PIN.
6. Review your information, read and accept the terms and conditions.
7. Confirm your e-mail address using the secure code, which will be sent to the e-mail address you entered when you created your FSA ID. Once you verify your e-mail address, you can use it instead of your username to log in to the FAFSA.

It’s easier than it looks — we promise!

1. Start the FAFSA. It all starts at studentaid.gov
2. Log in using your FSA ID. If you don’t have one yet, go back to step 2 above.
3. Create a save key. Unlike the FSA ID, the save key is meant to be shared. A save key is a temporary password that allows you and your parent(s) to “pass” the FAFSA back and forth. It also allows you to save the FAFSA and return to it later. This is especially helpful if you and your parent are not in the same place.
4. Fill in your student demographic information. This includes your name, date of birth, etc. Be sure to you enter your legal name (exactly the way it appears on your Social Security card).
5. Select the schools you’re interested in attending. Río Hondo College’s school code is 001269. You can list up to 10, so if you aren’t sure where you want to go yet put them all down!
6. The dependency status section will ask you a series of questions to determine if you need to provide your parent’s information on your FAFSA.
7. The parent demographic section is where your parent’s will provide their information. It doesn’t matter if you live with your parents, if you were determined to be a dependent student you will still need to include their information.
8. Include you and your parent(s) (if applicable) financial information.
9. Sign your FAFSA. Be sure you read over and agree to the terms and then click on the “sign” button.