Potential Magazine College and Career Organizer 2020 | Page 41

Take a deep breath...and begin.
If this is your first time filling out the application, you’ll have to wait for 30 minutes after
creating an account before you can login and start filling out your FAFSA—be patient!
STEP
01
STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS
Here’s exactly what you’ll need to submit:
• Legal name
• Social Security Number
• Birthdate
• Permanent home address
• Email address
• Consideration for work study program
• Parents’ level of education
( If a parent attended college but did not graduate, mark
high school graduate— this may qualify you for more
aid!)
(Don’t use your school email address! Use one you’ll
still have access to after you graduate.)
• Prior drug convictions
Select “No” to this question if:
• You have never been convicted for possessing or
selling illegal drugs.
• The conviction was not a state or Federal offense.
• The conviction occurred before you were 18 years of
age and you were not tried as an adult.
• The conviction was removed from your record.
• Driver’s License number
• Citizenship status
• Gender
(  Males will automatically be registered for

Selective
Service, the system used to draft young men
into the armed service in times of need. Young men are
required by law to register with the Selective Service
when they reach the age of 18.)
STEP
02
STEP
03
SCHOOL SELECTION
You can select up to six schools you want to send
your FAFSA report. In this section, you’ll have to
fill out:
• Name and city of your high school
• Current grade level
• Degree/certification you’re pursuing
• W
 hether you will be staying on campus or not
Choose the schools you want, and enter their
six-digit federal school code to make sure they
receive your report.
DEPENDENCY STATUS
Most high school students are considered
dependent, but there are exceptions.
You are only considered an independent student
if you meet any of the following criteria:
• At least 24 years old
• Married
• Graduate or professional student
• Veteran
• Member of the armed forces
• Orphan or ward of the court
• Have legal dependents other than a spouse
• Emancipated minor, or
• Homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
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College Organizer 2020 | 41