FAFSA Information

Navigating the financial aid process can be overwhelming, but we want to help. The step-by-step guide below will help you to have a better understanding of the documents and time needed to complete the FAFSA.

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

1. Identify Contributors–A contributor is any individual required to provide consent and approval for federal tax information along with their signature on the FAFSA form, including the student; the student’s spouse; a biological or adoptive parent; or the parent’s spouse (stepparent).
2. Obtaining an FSA ID–Yourself AND at least one contributor (parent) must create an FSA ID. This will be used as a digital signature on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as well as other requirements for Federal Student Aid. If you have a designated guardian by the court, you will file as an independent. Create an account.
3. Gather documents needed to apply:
   - Your social security number
   - Contributor(s)/parent(s) social security number
   - 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 2024 applicant will need 2022 tax information) for both you and your contributor(s)
   - Records of your untaxed income such as child support received, federal benefits, 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)
4. File the FAFSA online–You can access the FASFA either through a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
5. Write down the user ID(s) and password(s) you created for the FAFSA–This information will be the same for future FAFSA submissions.
6. List Western New England University on the FAFSA–The code is 002226.
7. Invite contributor to complete the FAFSA–While completing the student portion of the FAFSA, you will be asked to invite a contributor (parent) to complete the FAFSA. You will need to provide their legal information, including social security number, date of birth, and valid email address. Your contributor will receive an email notifying them they have been invited to complete the parent portion of the FAFSA.  Both you and your contributor must consent and approve for your Federal Tax information to be transferred into the FAFSA through the Futures Act Direct Data Exchange.
8. Submit the FAFSA–Once all contributors have provided the required information and have electronically signed the FAFSA using their FSA ID, the application can be submitted.
9. Keep records of your information–Keep a record of important financial information, including the date you filed your FAFSA and the names and school codes for the institutions to who you requested the FAFSA to be sent.

If you have any questions about the financial aid process or your offer, please feel free to contact Western New England University Enrollment Services at 413-796-2080.

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