FAFSA Information

A Step-by-step Guide to Applying for Financial Aid

1. Obtaining an FSA ID–Yourself AND at least one parent must create an FSA ID. This will be used in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). If you have a designated guardian by the court, you will file as an independent. Create an account.

2. Gather documents needed to apply:
   - Your social security number
   - Parent(s) social security number
   - Driver’s license number, if you have one
   - Your Alien Registration number if you are not a US Citizen
   - Federal tax information or tax returns, including IRS W-2 information from prior-prior years (i.e. Fall 2022 applicant will need 2020 tax information)
   - Records of your untaxed income such as child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducational benefits
   - Information on cash (i.e. savings and checking account balances; investments including stocks, bonds, and real estate; and business/farm assets)

3. File the FAFSA online–You can access the FASFA either through a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

4. Write down your user ID and password you set for the FAFSA–This information will be the same for future FAFSA submissions.

5. Create a “Save Key”–You will be asked to create a “Save Key” which will be used in case you need to login from a different location. Make sure you save this information.

6. List Western New England University on the FAFSA–The code is 002226.

7. Complete the IRS Data Retrieval Tool–Complete the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or IRS DRT. This will automatically transfer you and your parent(s) tax information and will leave less room for error as well as save you some time. If you are unable to complete the IRS DRT, you will need to request the tax transcripts directly from the IRS.

8. Submit the FAFSA–You will be using the FSA IDs that were created in Step 1 of the financial aid process.

9. Keep records of your information–Keep a record of important financial information, including the date you file your FAFSA and the names and school codes for the institutions to who you requested the FAFSA to be sent. If you need to add Western New England University after completing the FAFSA, you will want to edit your FAFSA, add 002226, and then RESUBMIT the FAFSA again.