Office of Student Financial Services

FAFSA CHECKLIST

Are you applying for financial aid? Student Financial Services strongly recommends that you gather all pertinent information prior to starting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Here, we have compiled what you will need, but don't let this list overwhelm you! Not everything listed here may apply to you.

If you have any questions about what you need or why you might need it, check out our FAQ or contact Student Financial Services at 413.662.5219 or FinAid@mcla.edu.

• Are you a dependent student? You will need to gather your parent's information to complete the FAFSA. Learn more about dependency here.
• Want to see what kind of questions you will be asked on the FAFSA? Check out the Department of Education's FAFSA on the Web Worksheet.
• Need some extra help? Schedule a virtual FAFSA help appointment here!

You should expect to have the following

• Your FSA ID and password (and your parent's FSA ID and password if dependent)

  • Is this the first time filing the FAFSA and you need to create an FSA ID? Create one here.
  • Don't know your FSA ID or password? Recover your account here.

• Your Social Security Card/Number, your driver's license/state issued identification card (if you possess one), AND/OR your alien registration card if you're not a U.S. citizen

  • You will need to enter your SSN or your alien registration ID number onto the FAFSA to verify your eligibility for aid. If you have a driver's license or state issued identification card, you will need to enter the number on it as well.
  • If you are a dependent student and will be entering parental information on the FAFSA, you will need their full name(s), date(s) of birth, and their SSN(s). This information is usually listed on your parent's tax returns. (See below.)

• Your 2022 financial information (and your parent's if dependent) 

  • Most of your financial information will generally be pulled from the IRS directly to your FAFSA form, but please make sure you have access to the 2022 tax return or other financial documents as needed.
  • Nontaxable Income: Payments to tax-deferred pension and/or retirement savings plans, child support received, military or clergy allowances, etc.
  • Other Income, Asset Information, or Financial Statements: Bank and brokerage statements (including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, other investments), business or farm records.
  • If you are an independent student and married, you will need to include your spouse's 2022 financial information.

• MCLA's school code - 002187

  • When completing your FAFSA, you will have to select what institutions you want to receive your information. If you complete the FAFSA but don't include MCLA on the list of schools, we'll never receive your FAFSA and you can't be considered for aid.
  • Already submitted the FAFSA without MCLA included? In order for us to receive your information, you must submit a correction by logging back into the FAFSA and adding MCLA.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE APPEALS

The Office of Student Financial Services determines financial aid eligibility based on the information students and families enter on the FAFSA. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the FAFSA uses tax information from 2022. However, we recognize that the FAFSA information may not always reflect your current circumstances.

If you or your parent(s) are experiencing extenuating financial circumstances, the Office of Student Financial Services may be able to help. After submitting the FAFSA, you can complete a Special Circumstance Appeal. The Special Circumstance Appeal Form for 2023-2024 will be available in March or April 2024. Learn more about Special Circumstance Appeals here.