FAFSA 2026-2027 Incarcerated English

2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

2026-27 English Incarcerated FAFSA Form

2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

OMB: 1845-0001

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Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

Form

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Use this form to apply free for federal and state student grants, work-study,
and loans. Or apply free online at fafsa.gov.
Apply by the Deadlines
For federal aid, submit your application as early as possible, but no earlier than October 1, 2025. We must receive your
application no later than June 30, 2027. Your college must have your correct, complete information by your last day of enrollment
in the 2026–27 school year.
For state or college aid, the deadline may be as early as October 1, 2025, and you may need to complete additional forms. Check
with your high school counselor or a financial aid administrator at the college or career school you are attending or plan to attend.
See the state deadlines on page 2. If you are applying close to a deadline, we recommend you submit your FAFSA form online at
fafsa.gov. It’s the fastest and easiest way to apply for aid.

Fill Out the FAFSA® Form

You may fill the answer fields electronically and then print the form, or print the form first and complete it by hand. If you complete
the form by hand, use dark ink and write clearly, as shown below. A computer will process this form; therefore:
• Fill in both circle and square answer fields completely:

Correct

Incorrect x

√ x

√

• For circle answer fields, choose only one response;
for square answer fields, choose all that apply:
• Print in BLOCK CAPITAL letters and skip a box between words;
for multi-line responses, wrap any incomplete words onto next line:
• Report dollar amounts such as $12,356.41 without cents;
if negative, completely fill the circle ( ) before the answer box:

1
T
$

P L U M

A P T

4
1

Continue on
next line.

Refer to the notes on pages 21–23 as instructed.
For help in filling out the FAFSA form, go to StudentAid.gov/fafsahelp or call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). If you need
assistance in another language, visit StudentAid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/other-languages.

2026–27 FAFSA ® Form

The FAFSA form has five sections: Student, Student Spouse, Parent, Parent Spouse or Partner, and Preparer. To determine who
needs to provide their information, consult “Who must provide information on the FAFSA form?”, on page 3.

Special Circumstances

If you or your family experienced significant changes to your financial situation (such as loss of employment or pay cuts), or other
special circumstances (such as tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school or high unreimbursed medical or dental
expenses), complete and submit this form as instructed. Once you submit the form, discuss your special circumstances with the
financial aid office at the college(s) you applied to or plan to attend.

Mail Your FAFSA® Form
After you complete this application, make a copy of pages 7 through 20 for your records. Then mail the original of pages 7 through 20 to:
Federal Student Aid Programs, P.O. Box 70205, London, KY 40742-0205
Extra postage will be required. When mailing, include pages 7 through 20, even if some are blank. After your application is
processed, you will receive a summary of your information in your FAFSA Submission Summary. If you provide an email address,
your summary will be sent by email within three to five days. If you do not provide an email address, your summary will be mailed
to you within three weeks. If you would like to check the status of your application, go to StudentAid.gov or call 1-800-433-3243.
FAFSA is a registered trademark of Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education.

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FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27 FAFSA Deadlines
®

2026–27

For federal aid, submit your FAFSA form as early as possible, but no earlier than October 1, 2025. For state or college aid, you
may need to submit your FAFSA form as early as October 1, 2025, and you may need to fill out separate forms. See the list below.
If you are filing close to a deadline, we recommend you file online at fafsa.gov. It’s the fastest and easiest way to apply for aid.
►Unless otherwise noted, the dates below refer to when the form must be received.
Alabama (AL) Check with your financial aid office.
Alaska (AK) Alaska Education Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025. Awards
made while funds exist. Alaska Performance Scholarship: For priority consideration,
submit by June 30, 2026. Awards made while funds exist.
American Samoa (AS) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
Arizona (AZ) Arizona Promise Program: For priority consideration, submit by April 1, 2026.
Arkansas (AR) Academic Challenge: July 1, 2026. ArFuture Grant: fall term, July 1,
2026; spring term, Jan. 10, 2027.
California (CA) For many state financial aid programs: March 2, 2026 (date
postmarked). Cal Grant also requires submission of a school-certified GPA by
March 2, 2026. For additional community college Cal Grants: Sept. 2, 2026 (date
postmarked). For noncitizens without a Social Security card or with one issued
through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, fill out
the California Dream Act Application. Contact the California Student Aid Commission
or your financial aid office for more information.
Colorado (CO) Check with your financial aid office.

Delaware (DE) May 15, 2026
District of Columbia (DC) For priority consideration, submit by June 25, 2026.
DC Tuition Assistance Grant: For priority consideration, submit the DC OneApp and
supporting documents by July 1, 2026.
Federated States of Micronesia (FM) Check with your financial aid office. More forms
may be required.
Florida (FL) May 15, 2026 (date processed)
Georgia (GA) Refer to Georgia Student Finance Commission’s website for more
information. As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025. Check with your financial aid office.
More forms may be required.
Guam (GU) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
Hawaii (HI) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
Idaho (ID) Opportunity Scholarship: For priority consideration, submit by March 1, 2026.
Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
Illinois (IL) Refer to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s website for the
current Monetary Award Program (MAP) deadline dates. As soon as possible after
Oct. 1, 2025. Awards made while funds exist.
Indiana (IN) Adult Student Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025. Awards made
while funds exist. New applicants must submit additional form. Workforce Ready Grant:
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025. Frank O’Bannon Grant: April 15, 2026
21st Century Scholarship: April 15, 2026
Iowa (IA) July 1, 2026; earlier priority deadlines may exist for certain programs. More
forms may be required.
Kansas (KS) For priority consideration, submit by April 1, 2026. Check with your
financial aid office. More forms may be required.
Kentucky (KY) As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025. Awards made while funds exist.
Louisiana (LA) July 1, 2027 (Feb. 1, 2026, recommended)
Maine (ME) May 1, 2026
Marshall Islands (MH) June 27, 2026
Maryland (MD) Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards (EEA): March 1, 2026
Massachusetts (MA) For priority consideration, submit by May 1, 2026.
Michigan (MI) Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant: For
priority consideration, submit by July 1, 2026.
Minnesota (MN) June 30, 2027
Mississippi (MS) MTAG and MESG Grants: Oct. 15, 2026. HELP Grant: April 30, 2026
Missouri (MO) For priority consideration, submit by Feb. 2, 2026. Applications accepted
through April 1, 2026.
Montana (MT) For priority consideration, submit as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025.
Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.

Nebraska (NE) Check with your financial aid office.
Nevada (NV) Silver State Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025.
Awards made while funds exist. Nevada Promise Scholarship: April 1, 2026. More
forms may be required. Awards made while funds exist. All other aid, check with your
financial aid office. More forms may be required.
New Hampshire (NH) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
New Jersey (NJ) Renewal applicants (2025–26 Tuition Aid Grant recipients): April 15,
2026. All other applicants: fall and spring terms, Sept. 15, 2026; spring term only,
Feb. 15, 2027.
New Mexico (NM) Check with your financial aid office.
New York (NY) June 30, 2027. More forms may be required.
North Carolina (NC) For priority consideration, submit by June 1, 2026, if attending
a UNC System institution; by Aug. 15, 2026, if attending a community college; or as
soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025, if attending a private institution. Awards made
while funds exist.
North Dakota (ND) As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025. Awards made while funds exist.
Ohio (OH) Oct. 1, 2026
Oklahoma (OK) Check with your financial aid office.
Oregon (OR) Oregon Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025.
Awards made while funds exist. OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1, 2026. More
forms may be required. Oregon Promise Grant: Contact state agency. More forms
may be required.
Palau (PW) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
Pennsylvania (PA) All first-time applicants enrolled in a community college; business/
trade/technical school; hospital school of nursing; designated Pennsylvania openadmission institution; or nontransferable two-year program: Aug. 1, 2026. All other
applicants: May 1, 2026. More forms may be required.
Puerto Rico (PR) Check with your financial aid office.
Rhode Island (RI) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
South Carolina (SC) SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based Grants: first
come, first served; awards made while funds exist. SC Tuition Grants: Aug. 1, 2026, for
SC independent institutions only.
South Dakota (SD) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
Tennessee (TN) State Grant: Prior-year recipients receive award if eligible and apply by
March 2, 2026; all other awards made to neediest applicants. Awards made while funds
exist. Tennessee Promise: March 2, 2026. State Lottery: fall term, Sept. 1, 2026; spring
term, March 1, 2027; summer term, May 1, 2027.
Texas (TX) For priority consideration, submit by Jan. 15, 2026. More forms may be
required. Private and two-year institutions may have different deadlines; check with
your financial aid office.

2026–27 FAFSA ® Deadlines

Connecticut (CT) For priority consideration, submit by Feb. 15, 2026. Check with your
financial aid office. More forms may be required.

N. Mariana Islands (MP) For priority consideration, submit by April 30, 2026. More
forms may be required.

U.S. Virgin Islands (VI) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
Utah (UT) Check with your financial aid office. Awards made while funds exist. More
forms may be required.
Vermont (VT) As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025. Awards made while funds exist.
More forms may be required.
Virginia (VA) As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025. Deadlines vary by institution;
check with your financial aid office. Students who are ineligible for federal aid but meet
state aid and residency requirements can instead complete Virginia Alternative State
Aid Application. Check with your financial aid office.
Washington (WA) As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2025. Check with your financial
aid office.
West Virginia (WV) Promise Scholarship: March 1, 2026. New applicants must submit
additional form. Contact your financial aid office or state agency. WV Higher Education
Grant: April 15, 2026. WV Invests Grant: For priority consideration, submit by April 15, 2026.
Wisconsin (WI) Check with your financial aid office.
Wyoming (WY) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.

Incarcerated Applicant Form

What is the FAFSA Form?

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

Why fill out a FAFSA form?

How can I have more colleges get my FAFSA information?

How do I find out my Student Aid Index (SAI)?

Your SAI will be listed on your FAFSA Submission Summary. This
summary shows the information you submitted on your FAFSA form. It is
important to review the summary to make sure all of your information is
correct and complete. Make corrections or provide additional information,
as necessary.

How much student financial aid will I receive?

Using the information on your FAFSA form and your SAI, the financial
aid office at your college will determine the amount of aid you will
receive. The college will use your SAI to prepare a financial aid package
to help you meet your financial need. Financial need is the difference
between the cost of attendance (which can include living expenses),
as determined by your college, and your SAI. If you are eligible for a
Federal Pell Grant, you may receive it from only one college for the same
period of enrollment.

Where can I get more information on student financial aid?
The best place for information about student aid is the financial aid office
at the college you plan to attend. The financial aid administrator can tell
you about student aid available from your state, the college itself, and
other sources.
• You can also visit our website StudentAid.gov.
• For information by phone, you can call our Federal Student Aid
Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.
• You can also check with your high school counselor, your state aid
agency, or your local library’s reference section.

Information about other nonfederal assistance may be available from
foundations, faith-based organizations, community organizations, and
civic groups, as well as organizations related to your field of interest,
such as the American Medical Association or American Bar Association.
When will I receive the student financial aid?
Check with your parents’ employers or unions to see if they award
Any financial aid you are eligible to receive will be paid to you through scholarships or have tuition assistance plans.
your college. Typically, your college will first use the aid to pay tuition,
fees, and housing and food (if provided by the college). Any remaining
aid is paid to you for your other educational expenses.

What is the FAFSA ® Form?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in If you are completing a paper FAFSA form, you can list ten colleges in
the financial aid process. You use the FAFSA form to apply for federal question 23. You may add more colleges by doing one of the following:
student aid, such as grants, work-study, and loans. In addition, most • After your FAFSA form has been processed, go to StudentAid.gov, log
states and colleges use information from the FAFSA form to award
in to the site, and follow the instructions for adding or changing schools.
nonfederal aid.
• Use the FAFSA Submission Summary, which you will receive after
Why all the questions?
your FAFSA form is processed. Your Data Release Number (DRN)
Most of the questions on the FAFSA form are required to calculate your
verifies your identity and will be listed on the first page of the summary.
Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI measures your family’s financial strength
• Provide your DRN to the financial aid administrator at the college you
and is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. The state
want added, and they can add their school code to your FAFSA form.
and the colleges you list may also use some of your responses to determine
if you may be eligible for state and/or school aid, in addition to federal aid. Note: If there are twenty school codes on your record, each new code
will need to replace one of the original school codes listed.

Completing the FAFSA® Form

The FAFSA form has five sections: Student, Student Spouse, Parent,
Parent Spouse or Partner, and Preparer.
Student
The student must always complete the Student section.
Student Spouse
If the student’s current marital status, as indicated in question 3, is
married or remarried, the student’s spouse must complete questions 25
and 26 of the Student Spouse section. The spouse must also complete
questions 27–29 if the student answered “No” to “Did or will the student
file a 2024 joint tax return with their current spouse?”, in question 19.
Parent
The student’s parent must complete the Parent section if all of the
following statements are true:
• The student was born after the year 2002.
• The student’s current marital status, as indicated in question 3, is
single (never married), divorced, separated, or widowed.
• The student’s college grade level, as indicated in question 4, will be
first-year, second-year, or other undergraduate.
• The student selected “None of these apply” in question 5, and
answered “No” in questions 6 and 7.
If all the above statements are true, the student is considered to be
dependent, and the student’s parent must complete the Parent section,

even if the student does not live with a parent (see “Who is considered
a legal parent on the FAFSA form?” and “Which parent should include
information?”, on page 4).
If any of the above statements are not true, the student is considered to
be independent, and parent information should not be provided.
If all the above statements are true, but the student answered “Yes” and
selected “None of these apply” in question 6, or else answered “Yes” in
question 7, the student is considered to be provisionally independent.
In this case, the student should submit the FAFSA form with the Parent
and Parent Spouse or Partner sections left blank and then contact the
college’s financial aid administrator for further guidance.
Parent Spouse or Partner
If the student’s parent is required to provide information in the Parent
section, and that parent’s current marital status, as indicated in question
32, is married, remarried, or unmarried and both legal parents living
together, the parent’s spouse or partner must complete questions 42
and 43 of the Parent Spouse or Partner section. The parent’s spouse
or partner must also complete questions 44–46 if the parent answered
“No” to “Did or will the parent file a 2024 joint tax return with their current
spouse?”, in question 37.
Preparer
If someone other than the student, student spouse, parent, or parent spouse
or partner completed this form on the applicant’s behalf, that person must
complete the Preparer section. Paid preparers are prohibited.

Completing the FAFSA ® Form

Who must provide information on the FAFSA form?

Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

Completing the FAFSA Form
®

2026–27

[continued]
• The student’s college grade level in 2026–27 will be “Master’s,
Who is considered a legal parent on the FAFSA form?

FAFSA ® Privacy Act Statement

the applicant, and, where applicable, a participating parent(s) or
spouse, to determine need for financial aid programs provided by
the state and IHEs. We also use FAFSA information to promote the
application for HEA Title IV program assistance (including FAFSA
form completion efforts), state assistance, and aid awarded by
eligible IHEs or by other entities that the Secretary of Education
has designated pursuant to section 483(a)(3)(E) of the HEA
(20 U.S.C. 1090(a)(3)(E)) prior to July 1, 2024. We also may verify
the accuracy of the information provided to the Department.
Routine Uses: The information provided on the FAFSA form will only
be disclosed outside of the Department with prior written consent or
as otherwise allowed by the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (Privacy
Act) (5 U.S.C. 552a). The Privacy Act’s requirement for prior written
consent has an exception for the “routine uses” that the Department
publishes in our System of Records Notices (SORNs). The Department
may, without consent, disclose FAFSA information pursuant to
the routine uses identified in the “Aid Awareness and Application
Processing” (18-11-21) SORN, which is available on the Department’s
“Privacy Act System of Record Notice Issuances (SORN)” webpage
located at https://www2.ed.gov/notices/ed-pia.html.
These routine uses include the following:
• To verify the identity of the applicant, the spouse of a married
applicant, and the parent(s) of a dependent applicant; determine

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended
(HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), authorizes the Department of Education
(Department) to ask the questions set forth in this Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, including those collecting
Social Security numbers (SSNs) from the aid applicant, the spouse of
a married applicant, and the parent(s) of a dependent applicant. The
collection of the SSNs is also authorized by Executive Order 9397, as
amended by Executive Order 13478 (November 18, 2008).
Purpose: We use the information provided on the FAFSA form to
determine eligibility for, and benefits under, federal student financial
assistance programs authorized by Title IV of the HEA. We use the
SSNs of an aid applicant, the spouse of a married applicant, and
the parent(s) of a dependent applicant to verify their identity and
to retrieve their records from the Social Security Administration
(SSA) for determining the applicant’s eligibility for federal student
aid. With the authorization of the applicant and, where applicable,
a participating parent(s) or spouse, state higher education
agencies and institutions of higher education (IHEs) may also use
FAFSA information to determine whether the applicant is eligible
to receive state and institutional financial aid. Pursuant to section
483 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1090), state higher education agencies
and IHEs that participate in HEA Title IV programs have entered
into agreements with the Department to receive information about

Completing the FAFSA ® Form

doctorate, or graduate certificate program,” as indicated in question 4.
Legal parents are biological or adoptive (regardless of sex), or as
determined by the state (for example, if the parent is listed on the birth • The student selected something other than “None of these apply” in
question 5.
certificate). Grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, widowed
stepparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings are not considered parents on • The student answered “Yes” in question 6.
this form unless they have legally adopted the student.
Skip questions 9, 10, 18, and 21 if all of the following are true:
Which parent should include information?
• The student was born after the year 2002.
• If the student’s parent was never married and does not live with the • The student’s current marital status is single (never married), divorced,
student’s other legal parent, or if the parent is widowed and not remarried,
separated, or widowed.
that parent should only provide their own information in the Parent • The student’s college grade level, as indicated in question 4, will be
section, and the Parent Spouse or Partner section should be skipped.
first-year, second-year, or other undergraduate.
• If the parents are divorced or separated, answer the questions about • The student selected “None of these apply” in question 5, and
the parent who provides the greater portion of the student’s financial
answered “No” in questions 6 and 7.
support, even if the student does not live with them. If both parents For students whose FAFSA form does not require parent information:
provided an exactly equal amount of financial support during the past Skip questions 21 and 22 if the student answered anything other than
12 months, or if they don’t support the student financially, answer the “None of these apply” on question 18.
questions about the parent with the greater income and assets. (The
For students whose FAFSA form does require parent information:
parent who provided more financial support may or may not be the
Skip questions 21 and 22 if the parent answered anything other than
parent that the student lives with.) If this parent is remarried as of
“None of these apply” on question 36.
today, answer the questions about that parent and the stepparent.
• If the student’s widowed parent is remarried as of today, answer the Student Spouse
If student spouse information must be provided, skip questions 27–29 if
questions about that parent and the stepparent.
the student answered “Yes” to “Did or will the student file a 2024 joint tax
• Contact 1-800-433-3243 for assistance completing questions 30–46 or
return with their current spouse?”, in question 19.
visit StudentAid.gov/fafsa-parent.
Parent
Can I skip any questions?
If parent information must be provided, then all questions in the Parent
Some questions can be skipped in certain circumstances:
section must be answered.
Student
Parent Spouse or Partner
Skip questions 7 and 8 if any of the following are true:
If the information of the parent’s spouse or partner must be provided, skip
• The student was born prior to the year 2003.
questions 44–46 if the parent answered “Yes” to “Did or will the parent
• The student’s current marital status is married (not separated) or file a 2024 joint tax return with their current spouse?”, in question 37.
remarried, as indicated by question 3.

Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA Privacy Act Statement
®

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[continued]
• The Department may disclose FAFSA information to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) or the Congressional Budget Office
as necessary to fulfill Federal Credit Reform Act requirements in
accordance with 2 U.S.C. 661b;
• The Department may disclose FAFSA information to appropriate
agencies, entities, and persons when (a) the Department
suspects or has confirmed that there has been a breach of the
“Aid Awareness and Application Processing” (18-11-21) system of
records; (b) the Department has determined that, as a result of the
suspected or confirmed breach, there is a risk of harm to individuals,
the Department (including its information systems, programs, and
operations), the federal government, or national security; and (c)
the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is
reasonably necessary to assist the Department’s efforts to respond
to the suspected or confirmed breach or to prevent, minimize, or
remedy such harm;
• The Department may disclose FAFSA information to another federal
agency or entity when the Department determines that information
from the “Aid Awareness and Application Processing” (18-11-21)
system of records is reasonably necessary to assist the recipient
agency or entity in (a) responding to a suspected or confirmed
breach or (b) preventing, minimizing, or remedying the risk of harm
to individuals, the recipient agency or entity (including its information
systems, programs, and operations), the federal government, or
national security, resulting from a suspected or confirmed breach;
and
• If the Department contracts with an entity to perform any function
that requires disclosing FAFSA information to the contractor’s
employees, the Department may disclose the information to those
employees. As part of such a contract, the Department shall require
the contractor to agree to establish and maintain safeguards to
protect the security and confidentiality of the disclosed information.
Effects of Not Providing Information: Providing information on the
FAFSA form, including an applicant’s SSN, is voluntary; however, if
not enough information is provided to process an applicant’s FAFSA
form, aid may be delayed or denied.
Opportunity to Access or Contest Tax Information: If you have
questions about or need to access your federal tax information used
on this application, contact a financial aid administrator at your
postsecondary institution. If your postsecondary institution does
not provide you access to your federal tax information, contact the
Ombudsman Office at ombudsman@ed.gov.
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995: According to the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a
collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB
control number. The valid OMB control number for this information
collection is 1845-0001. Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average one and a half hours per response,
including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond
to this collection is voluntary. For comments or concerns regarding
the status of an individual’s submission of this form, write directly to
the Federal Student Aid Information Center, P.O. Box 84, Washington,
D.C. 20044. (Note: Do not return the completed form to this address.)

Privacy Act Statement

the accuracy of the information contained in the record; support
compliance with HEA Title IV statutory and regulatory requirements;
and assist with the determination, correction, processing, tracking,
and reporting of program eligibility and benefits, the Department
may disclose FAFSA information to guaranty agencies, lenders and
loan holders participating in the Federal Family Education Loan
(FFEL) Program, IHEs, third-party servicers, and federal, state,
local, or tribal agencies;
• Through June 30, 2026, disclosures may be made to state higher
education agencies, eligible IHEs, and other designated entities that
award and administer aid to students, to determine an applicant’s
eligibility for aid awarded by those parties. Effective July 1, 2024,
under amendments to the HEA made by the FAFSA Simplification
Act (Public Law 116-260) and the FAFSA Simplification Technical
Corrections Act (Public Law 117-103), and pursuant to section
483(a)(2)(D)(i) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1090(a)(2)(D)(i)), and with
the authorization of the applicant and, if necessary, the parents or
spouse of the applicant, disclosures may be made to state higher
education agencies, eligible IHEs, and scholarship organizations
designated by the Secretary of Education prior to December 19,
2019 (the enactment date of the FUTURE Act [Public Law 11691]), as specified by the applicant and in accordance with section
494 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1098h), to determine an applicant’s
eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs,
as well as for scholarship programs at designated organizations.
Effective July 1, 2024, under amendments to the HEA made by the
FAFSA Simplification Act and the FAFSA Simplification Technical
Corrections Act, and pursuant to section 483(a)(3)(B) (state higher
education agency) and 483(a)(3)(C) (IHE) of the HEA (20 U.S.C.
1090(a)(3)(B) and 1090(a)(3)(C)), disclosures may be made to state
higher education agencies and eligible IHEs for the administration
of federal, state, or institutional financial or scholarship aid awards;
• To encourage an applicant to complete a FAFSA form or to assist an
applicant with doing so, the Department may disclose an applicant’s
FAFSA filing status to a local educational agency; a secondary school
where the applicant is or was enrolled; a state, local, or tribal agency;
or an entity that awards aid to students and that the Secretary of
Education has designated prior to the amendments of the HEA
made by the FAFSA Simplification Act and the FAFSA Simplification
Technical Corrections Act, which are effective July 1, 2024;
• If the Department determines that the disclosure of FAFSA
information is relevant and necessary to judicial or administrative
litigation or alternative dispute resolution (ADR), the Department
may, in certain circumstances and provided certain conditions
are satisfied, disclose such information to the U.S. Department of
Justice (DOJ); certain adjudicative bodies, persons, or entities; and
parties, counsel, representatives, or witnesses;
• In the event the FAFSA information indicates, either on its face or in
connection with other information, a violation or potential violation
of any applicable statute, regulations, or order of a competent
authority, the Department may disclose the relevant information
to the appropriate agency, whether federal, state, tribal, or local,
charged with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting that
violation or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute,
Executive Order, rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto;

Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

Federal Tax Information (FTI) Consent and Approval

Signatures

I consent and certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America, that the information I provide on the FAFSA form is true and correct.
I understand that any falsification of this statement is punishable under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 1001 by a fine, imprisonment of not more than five years,
or both, and that the knowing and willful request for or acquisition of records pertaining to an individual under false pretenses is a criminal offense under the
Privacy Act of 1974, subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 (5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(i)(3)). By accepting and submitting my part of the FAFSA, my execution date
of consent and approval will be logged in the U.S. Department of Education’s Person Authentication Service (PAS) System of Record (18-11-12).
If you sign this application, you certify that you are the person identified. If you purposefully give false or misleading information, including applying as an
independent student without meeting the unusual circumstances required to qualify for such a status, you may be subject to criminal penalties under 20
U.S.C. 1097, which may include a fine up to $20,000, imprisonment, or both.
Student
Student, Student Spouse, Parent, Parent Spouse or Partner, Preparer
By signing this application, YOU, THE STUDENT, certify that you:
By signing this application, you certify that all of the information you
provided is true and complete to the best of your knowledge and you
• will use federal and/or state student financial aid only to pay the cost of
attending an institution of higher education,
agree, if asked, to provide:
• are not in default on a federal student loan or have made satisfactory
• information that will verify the accuracy of your completed form, and
arrangements to repay it,
• U.S. or foreign income tax forms that you filed or are required to file.
• do not owe money back on a federal student grant or have made
You also certify that you understand that the Secretary of Education has
satisfactory arrangements to repay it,
the authority to verify information reported on your application with the
• will notify your school if you default on a federal student loan, and
Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies.
• will not receive a Federal Pell Grant from more than one school for the
same period of time.
Additionally, by signing this application, you authorize the Department to disclose all information you provided on this application, as required under Section
483(a)(2)(D)(i) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, to the institutions identified herein, state higher education agencies (in the student’s state
of residence and the states in which the institutions identified herein are located), and designated scholarship organizations to assist with the application,
award, and administration of aid from federal, state, or institutional financial aid programs and designated scholarship programs. Notwithstanding this
authorization, the name of an institution the student selected to authorize such disclosure shall not be shared with any other institution.

FTI Consent and Approval Signatures

The student and all contributors must provide consent and approval for their tax information to be transferred to the FAFSA form in order for the student’s
eligibility for federal student aid to be calculated.
I consent to the disclosure of information about me, as described below, and further affirmatively approve of the receipt and use of my federal tax
information (FTI) and to the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department’s) redisclosure of my FTI, as described below. By accepting within the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, I consent to and affirmatively approve of, as applicable, the following:
1. The Department may disclose my Social Security number (SSN)/Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), last name, date of birth, unique identifier, the tax
year for which FTI is required, and the date and timestamp of my approval for the use of my FTI in determining eligibility by the Department for which
approval is provided to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS). I understand that in response to such a request from the
Department, the IRS shall then disclose my FTI to “authorized persons” (i.e., specifically designated officers and employees of the Department and its
contractors (as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 6103(l)(13)(E)) for the purpose of determining eligibility for, and the amount of, federal student aid under a program
authorized under subpart 1 of part A, part C, or part D of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, for myself or an applicant for federal
student aid who has requested that I share my FTI on their FAFSA form.
2. Authorized persons at the U.S. Department of Education and its contractors (as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 6103(l)(13)(E)) may use my FTI for the purpose
of determining the eligibility for, and amount of, federal student aid under a program authorized under subpart 1 of part A, part C, or part D of Title IV
of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, for myself or a FAFSA applicant who has requested that I share my FTI on the FAFSA form.
3. The Department may redisclose my FTI received from the IRS pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 6103(l)(13)(D)(iii) to the following entities solely for the use in
the application, award, and administration of financial aid:
• Institutions of higher education (IHEs) participating in the federal student aid programs authorized under subpart 1 of part A, part C, or part D of Title
IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended;
• State higher education agencies;
• Scholarship organizations designated prior to December 19, 2019, by the Secretary of Education; and
• Contractors of IHEs and state higher education agencies to administer aspects of the institution’s or State agency’s activities for the application,
award, and administration of such financial aid.
4. The Department may redisclose my FTI to another applicant’s FAFSA form(s) for which I elect to participate. By accepting an invitation and affirmation
to participate in another individual’s FAFSA form, my FTI will be redisclosed to the additional application. I understand that I may decline an invitation
to participate, which will prevent the transfer of my FTI to that FAFSA form.
By consenting and providing my affirmative approval, I further understand that:
1. My consent and affirmative approval are required, as a condition of my eligibility or the eligibility of a FAFSA applicant who has requested that I share
my FTI on their FAFSA form, for federal student aid under a program authorized under subpart 1 of part A, part C, or part D of Title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965, as amended, even if I did not file a U.S. federal tax return.
2. I am providing my written consent for the redisclosure of my FTI by the Department to, including but not limited to, IHEs, state higher education
agencies, designated scholarship organizations, their respective contractors and auditors, other family members participating in the FAFSA form, and
the Office of Inspector General, under 26 U.S.C. § 6103(l)(13)(D), and, with my further express written consent obtained by an IHE, the redisclosure
of FAFSA information pursuant to the terms and conditions of 20 U.S.C. § 1098h(c).
3. Any FTI received from the IRS at a later date shall supersede any manually entered financial or income information on the FAFSA form.
4. The Department may request updated FTI from the IRS once my consent is provided. If FTI has changed (e.g., an amended tax return filed with revised
information), then eligibility for, and amounts of, federal, state, and institutional financial aid may change.
5. If I do not consent to the redisclosure of my FTI to IHEs, state higher education agencies, designated scholarship organizations, and their respective
contractors, the Department will be unable to calculate my eligibility for federal student aid or the eligibility of a FAFSA applicant who has requested
that I share my FTI on their FAFSA form.

2026–27

Incarcerated Applicant Form

July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

FAFSA

Form

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

OMB No. 1845-0001

For help in filling out the FAFSA form, go to StudentAid.gov/fafsahelp or call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

Student
►The student must complete this section.
Questions 1–24 apply to the student. All questions are required except in some circumstances (see “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4).

[See Notes page 21.]

Student Identity Information

The student’s full legal name, for example, as it appears on their Social Security card.

First name
Middle name
Last name
Date of birth

Student

Suffix (e.g., Jr. or III)

Social Security number (SSN)

–

MM / DD / YYYY

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
–

–

If the student does not have an ITIN, leave this field blank.

[See Notes page 21.]

Student Contact Information

Mobile phone number
–

–

Email address
Continue on
next line.

Permanent mailing address
Continue on
next line.

► If you are currently incarcerated, enter your
inmate identifying number at the end of your
permanent mailing address.

Include apt. number.

City
ZIP code

State

Country
–

[See Notes page 21.]

Student Current Marital Status
Single

(never married)

Married

(not separated)

Remarried

Separated

Divorced

Widowed

Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

Student College or Career School Plans

When the student begins the 2026–27 school year, what will their college grade level be?
First-year undergraduate
(freshman)

Second-year undergraduate
(sophomore)

Other undergraduate

(junior year and beyond)

Master’s, doctorate, or graduate certificate
program (MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, etc.)

When the student begins the 2026–27 school year, will they already have their first bachelor’s degree?

Yes

Will the student be pursuing an initial teaching certification at the elementary or secondary level?

Yes

[See Notes page 21.]

Student Personal Circumstances

Select all that apply.

The student is currently serving on active duty in the
U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training.
The student is a veteran of the U.S. armed forces.
The student has children or other people (excluding
their spouse) who live with the student and receive
more than half of their support from the student now
and between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
At any time since the student turned 13, they were
an orphan (no living biological or adoptive parent).

At any time since the student turned 13, they were a ward of the court.
At any time since the student turned 13, they were in foster care.
The student is or was a legally emancipated minor, as determined
by a court in their state of residence.
The student is or was in a legal guardianship with someone other
than their parent or stepparent, as determined by a court in their
state of residence.
None of these apply.
[See Notes page 22.]

Student Homelessness

Yes

If the answer is “Yes,” did any of the following determine the student was homeless or at risk of becoming homeless?
Select all that apply.

Director or designee of an emergency
or transitional shelter, street outreach
program, homeless youth drop-in
center, or other program serving
those experiencing homelessness

The student’s high
school or school
district homeless
liaison or designee

Director or designee of
a project supported by
a federal TRIO or GEAR
UP program grant

Financial aid
administrator
(FAA)

None of
these apply.

Student

At any time on or after July 1, 2025, was the student unaccompanied and
either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

Student Unusual Circumstances

►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

Do unusual circumstances prevent the student from contacting their parents or would contacting
their parents pose a risk to the student? This information will help us evaluate the student’s ability to pay for school.

Yes

A student may be experiencing unusual circumstances if they:
• Left home due to an abusive or threatening environment;
• Are a victim of human trafficking;
• Are abandoned by or estranged from their parents;
• Are incarcerated, or their parents are incarcerated, and
contact with the parents would pose a risk to the student; or
• Have refugee or asylee status and are separated from their
parents, or their parents are displaced in a foreign country;
• Are otherwise unable to contact or locate their parents.
If the student does not have a safe, stable place to live because of such circumstances, they may be considered a homeless youth and should
review the answer to question 6 about being unaccompanied and homeless.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan Only

►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

Are the student’s parents refusing to provide their information on this FAFSA form?

Yes

This response must be “No” for the student to be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and most other types of federal aid. If the answer is “Yes,” a financial
aid administrator at the student’s school will determine their eligibility for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan only. If the student is approved for this option,
they will not qualify to receive other types of federal student loans (including Direct Subsidized Loans), federal grants, or Federal Work-Study programs.

Family Size

►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

How many people are in the student’s family?
Include the student (and spouse), the student’s dependent children (even if they live apart due to college enrollment), and other people living with the student now.
Include these dependent children and other people only if the student will provide more than half of their support between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.

Incarcerated Applicant Form

10 N u m b e r i n C o l l e g e

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

How many people in the student’s family, including the student, will be in college between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027?

11 S t u d e n t D e m o g r a p h i c I n f o r m a t i o n

The answers will not affect the student’s eligibility for federal student aid, be used in any calculations, or be shared with the schools to which the student applies.
They will be used for research purposes only.

What is the student’s sex?

Male

Female

12 S t u d e n t R a c e a n d E t h n i c i t y

What is the student’s race and/or ethnicity? Select all that apply. If you select “Other” and enter more than one category in the entry boxes, skip a
American Indian or Alaska Native

box between each one.

Other:
Enter name of enrolled or principal tribe(s) (Navajo, Blackfeet, Mayan, Nome Eskimo Community, etc.)

Asian
Chinese

Asian Indian

Vietnamese

Korean

Japanese

Haitian

Nigerian

Ethiopian

Somali

Salvadoran

Cuban

Dominican

Guatemalan

Egyptian

Syrian

Iraqi

Israeli

Chamorro

Tongan

Fijian

Marshallese

Irish

Italian

Polish

Scottish

Other:
Enter Pakistani, Hmong, Afghan, etc.

Black or African American
African American

Jamaican

Other:
Enter Trinidadian and Tobagonian, Ghanaian, Congolese, etc.

Hispanic or Latino
Mexican

Puerto Rican

Student

Filipino

Other:
Enter Colombian, Honduran, Spaniard, etc.

Middle Eastern or North African
Lebanese

Iranian

Other:
Enter Moroccan, Yemeni, Kurdish, etc.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Native Hawaiian

Samoan

Other:
Enter Chuukese, Palauan, Tahitian, etc.

White
English

German

Other:
Enter French, Swedish, Norwegian, etc.

Prefer not to answer

13 S t u d e n t C i t i z e n s h i p

[See Notes page 22.]

Citizenship status
U.S. citizen
or national

Eligible
noncitizen

A–Number
Neither U.S. citizen nor
eligible noncitizen

A
If the student is an eligible noncitizen, provide their A-Number.

Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

14 S t u d e n t S t a t e o f L e g a l R e s i d e n c e
State

Usually, this is the state where the student
lives while not attending school.

Date the student became a legal resident

If the student was born in their state of residence and hasn’t moved
out of state since, enter the student’s date of birth. Otherwise,
enter the date the student moved to their state of residence.

/
MM / YYYY

15 P a r e n t E d u c a t i o n S t a t u s

Did either of the student’s parents attend or complete college?
Neither parent
attended college

One or both parents attended college,
but neither parent completed college

One or both parents
completed college

Don’t know

16 P a r e n t K i l l e d i n L i n e o f D u t y

[See Notes page 22.]

17 S t u d e n t H i g h S c h o o l I n f o r m a t i o n

[See Notes page 22.]

Yes
Was the student’s parent or guardian killed in the line of duty while (1) serving on active duty as a member
of the U.S. armed forces on or after September 11, 2001, or (2) performing official duties as a public safety
officer? The student may be eligible for additional Federal Pell Grant funds once their eligibility is confirmed by their college or career school.

High school completion status when the student begins the 2026–27 school year
High school diploma

State-recognized high school
equivalent (e.g., GED certificate)

Homeschooled

None of the previous

If the answer is “High school diploma,” provide the name, city, and state of the high school.
High school name

Student

Continue on
next line.

State

City

If the answer is “State-recognized high school equivalent,” which of the
following did or will the student receive, and what is the issuing state?

GED

TASC

HiSET

Other

Issuing state

18 F e d e r a l B e n e f i t s R e c e i v e d

[See Notes page 22.]

►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

At any time during 2024 or 2025, did the student or anyone in their family receive benefits from any of
the following federal programs? Select all that apply.
Earned income credit (EIC)

Refundable credit for coverage under
a qualified health plan (QHP)

Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF)

Free or reduced-price school lunch

Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP)

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Medicaid

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

None of these apply.

Federal housing assistance

19 S t u d e n t Ta x F i l i n g S t a t u s

Did or will the student file a 2024 IRS Form 1040 or 1040-NR?

[See Notes page 22.]

Yes

Did the student either (1) earn income in a foreign country in 2024, (2) work for an international
organization in 2024 without being required to report income on any tax return, or (3) file a 2024
tax return with Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory?

Yes

International organizations include, for example, the United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund.
►If the answer is “No” to both of the questions above, and the student is not married, questions 20–22 can be skipped;
however, if the student is also required to provide parent information on the form, question 22 must be answered.

Did or will the student file a 2024 joint tax return with their current spouse?

20 S t u d e n t 2 0 2 4 Ta x R e t u r n I n f o r m a t i o n
Filing status
Single

Head of household

Married filing jointly

Yes

No
[If the student had a spouse at any time
in 2024 or later, see Notes page 23.]

Married filing separately

[Question 20 continues on next page.]

Qualifying surviving spouse

Incarcerated Applicant Form

20 S t u d e n t 2 0 2 4 Ta x R e t u r n I n f o r m a t i o n

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

[continued]

►Convert all currency to U.S. dollars. If the answer is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0.
If the answer is negative, completely fill the circle (

) before the answer box.

Income earned from work

Tax exempt interest income

IRS Form 1040 (or 1040-NR): line 1z + Schedule 1: lines 3 + 6.
If a tax form line’s value is negative, treat it as zero in your calculation.

Untaxed portions of IRA distributions

IRS Form 1040: line 4a minus 4b

IRS Form 1040: line 5a minus 5b

Yes

(American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning credits)

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 1: total of lines 16 + 20

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 3: line 3 + IRS Form 1040: line 29

Did the student file a Schedule A, B, D, E, F, or H
with their 2024 IRS Form 1040?
Net profit or loss from IRS Form 1040
Schedule C

Don’t know

Education credits

IRS Form 1040 Schedule C: line 31

Yes

Don’t know

Student

IRA deductions and payments to self-employed
SEP, SIMPLE, and qualified plans

IRS Form 1040: line 24. If negative, enter a zero.

IRS Form 1040: line 27

Did the student receive the earned income credit (EIC)?

Income tax paid

IRS Form 1040 (or 1040-NR): line 11

Pension rollover into an IRA or other qualified plan

Adjusted gross income
$

IRS Form 1040: line 2a

IRA rollover into another IRA or qualified plan

Untaxed portions of pensions
$

[See Notes page 23.]

Amount of college grants, scholarships, or AmeriCorps
benefits reported as income to the IRS

This question is typically answered with a zero because most of these
items (including Federal Pell Grants) are not considered taxable income.
If the student is married, include the amount their spouse reported.

Foreign earned income exclusion

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 1: line 8d

21 A n n u a l C h i l d S u p p o r t R e c e i v e d
►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

Enter total amount the student received in child support for the last complete calendar year. If the answer to question 3 was “Married” or
“Remarried,” enter the combined amount the student and their spouse received. If the answer is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0.
$

22 S t u d e n t A s s e t s

[See Notes page 23.]

If the answer to question 3 was “Married” or “Remarried,” enter the combined amounts held by the student and their spouse. If the answer is
zero or the question does not apply, enter 0.

Current total of cash, savings,
and checking accounts
$

Don’t include student aid, retirement
accounts, or investments.

Current net worth of investments,
including real estate

Don’t include the home the student lives in.
Net worth is the value of the investments
minus any debts owed against them.

Current net worth of businesses
and farms
$

Enter the net worth of the student’s businesses and incomeproducing farms. Net worth is the value of the businesses
and farms minus any debts owed against them.

Incarcerated Applicant Form

23 C o l l e g e s

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit
2026–27
[See Notes page 23.]

Enter the schools that should receive the student’s FAFSA information.
College 1
College 1
Federal School Code

College 2
Federal School Code

College 3
Federal School Code

College 4
Federal School Code

College 5
Federal School Code

College 6
Federal School Code

College 7
Federal School Code

College 8
Federal School Code

College 9
Federal School Code

College 10
Federal School Code

Address
and city
College 2
name

State
2

Address
and city
College 3
name

State
3

Address
and city
College 4
name

State
4

Address
and city
College 5
name

State
5

Address
and city
College 6
name

State
6

Address
and city
College 7
name

Student

State

name

State
7

Address
and city
College 8
name

State
8

Address
and city
College 9
name

State
9

Address
and city
College 10
name

State
10

Address
and city

24 S t u d e n t C o n s e n t , A p p r o v a l , a n d S i g n a t u r e

[See page 6.]

Refer to the terms on page 6. By filling in the answer circle below and signing this form, you (the student) agree to the terms set forth on page 6. If you
do not provide consent and approval by filling in the circle below and providing your signature, you will not be eligible for federal student aid.

Consent and approval to transfer federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Student signature

Date signed

Handwritten original signature using full name is required.

MM / DD / YYYY

Student

Incarcerated Applicant Form

Spouse

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

►See “Who must provide information on the FAFSA form?”, on page 3, to determine if a spouse must complete this section.
Questions 25–29 apply to the student’s spouse. Leave blank any questions that don’t apply to the student’s spouse.

25 S t u d e n t S p o u s e I d e n t i t y I n f o r m a t i o n

The student spouse’s full legal name, for example, as it appears on their Social Security card.

First name
Middle name
Last name
Suffix (e.g., Jr. or III)

Date of birth
/

Social Security number (SSN)
–

If the student spouse does not have an SSN,
enter all zeros.

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
–

If the student spouse does not have an ITIN, leave this field blank.

26 S t u d e n t S p o u s e C o n t a c t I n f o r m a t i o n

[See Notes page 21.]

–

S pouse

Mobile phone number

Student

–

MM / DD / YYYY

–

Email address
Continue on
next line.

Permanent mailing address
Continue on
next line.

Include apt. number.

City
ZIP code

State

Country
–

27 S t u d e n t S p o u s e Ta x F i l i n g S t a t u s

[See Notes page 22.]

►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

Did or will the student spouse file a 2024 IRS Form 1040 or 1040-NR?

Yes

Did the student spouse either (1) earn income in a foreign country in 2024, (2) work for an
international organization in 2024 without being required to report income on any tax return, or
(3) file a 2024 tax return with Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory?

Yes

International organizations include, for example, the United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund.
►If the answer is “No” to both of the questions above, question 28 can be skipped.

Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit
2026–27
[See Notes page 23.]

28 S t u d e n t S p o u s e 2 0 2 4 Ta x R e t u r n I n f o r m a t i o n
►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

Filing status
Single

Head of household

Married filing jointly

Married filing separately

Qualifying surviving spouse

►Convert all currency to U.S. dollars. If the answer is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0.
If the answer is negative, completely fill the circle (

) before the answer box.

Income earned from work

Tax exempt interest income

IRS Form 1040 (or 1040-NR): line 1z + Schedule 1: lines 3 + 6.
If a tax form line’s value is negative, treat it as zero in your calculation.

IRS Form 1040: line 2a

Untaxed portions of IRA distributions

IRS Form 1040: line 4a minus 4b

IRS Form 1040: line 5a minus 5b

,
,

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 3: line 3 + IRS Form 1040: line 29

Yes

Don’t know

Foreign earned income exclusion

S pouse

(American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning credits)

Net profit or loss from IRS Form 1040 Schedule C
IRS Form 1040 Schedule C: line 31

Education credits

IRS Form 1040: line 24. If negative, enter a zero.

Did the student spouse file a Schedule A, B, D, E, F, or H
with their 2024 IRS Form 1040?

,
,

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 1: total of lines 16 + 20

Income tax paid

IRA deductions and payments to self-employed
SEP, SIMPLE, and qualified plans

Pension rollover into an IRA or other qualified plan

IRS Form 1040 (or 1040-NR): line 11

Student

Adjusted gross income
$

IRA rollover into another IRA or qualified plan

Untaxed portions of pensions
$

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 1: line 8d

29 S t u d e n t S p o u s e C o n s e n t , A p p r o v a l , a n d S i g n a t u r e

[See page 6.]

►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

Refer to the terms on page 6. By filling in the answer circle below and signing this form, you (the student spouse) agree to the terms set forth on page 6.
If you do not provide consent and approval by filling in the circle below and providing your signature, the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.

Consent and approval to transfer federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Student spouse signature

Date signed

Handwritten original signature using full name is required.

MM / DD / YYYY

Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

Parent
►See “Who must provide information on the FAFSA form?”, on page 3, to determine if a parent must complete this section.
Questions 30–41 apply to the student’s parent. Leave blank any questions that don’t apply to the parent.

30 P a r e n t I d e n t i t y I n f o r m a t i o n

The parent’s full legal name, for example, as it appears on their Social Security card.

First name
Middle name
Last name
Suffix (e.g., Jr. or III)

Date of birth

Social Security number (SSN)

–

If the parent does not have an SSN, enter all zeros.

MM / DD / YYYY

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
–

31 P a r e n t C o n t a c t I n f o r m a t i o n

[See Notes page 21.]

Mobile phone number
–

Parent

–

If the parent does not have an ITIN, leave this field blank.

–

Email address
Continue on
next line.

Permanent mailing address
Continue on
next line.

Include apt. number.

City
ZIP code

State

Country
–

32 P a r e n t C u r r e n t M a r i t a l S t a t u s
Single

(never married)

Unmarried and both legal
parents living together

Married

(not separated)

[See Notes page 21.]

Remarried

Separated

Divorced

Widowed

33 P a r e n t S t a t e o f L e g a l R e s i d e n c e
State

Usually, this is the state
where the parent lives.

Date the parent became a legal resident
/

MM / YYYY

If the parent was born in their state of residence and hasn’t moved
out of state since, enter the parent’s date of birth. Otherwise,
enter the date the parent moved to their state of residence.

Incarcerated Applicant Form

34 F a m i l y S i z e

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

How many people are in the parent’s family?
Include the parent (and spouse or partner), the student, the parent’s dependent children (even if they live apart because of college enrollment),
and other people living with the parent now. Include these dependent children and other people only if the parent will provide more than half of
their support between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.

35 N u m b e r i n C o l l e g e

How many people in the parent’s family will be in college between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027?
Do not include parent(s).

36 F e d e r a l B e n e f i t s R e c e i v e d

[See Notes page 22.]

At any time during 2024 or 2025, did the parent or anyone in their family receive benefits from any of the following
federal programs? Select all that apply.
Earned income credit (EIC)

Refundable credit for coverage under
a qualified health plan (QHP)

Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF)

Free or reduced-price school lunch

Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP)

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Medicaid

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

None of these apply.

Federal housing assistance

[See Notes page 22.]

Did or will the parent file a 2024 IRS Form 1040 or 1040-NR?

Yes

If the answer is “No,” indicate which one of the following situations applies to the parent for 2024:
►If one of the options in the second column below is selected and the parent is unmarried, questions 38–40 can be skipped.
The parent filed or will file a tax return with Puerto Rico or another
U.S. territory.

The parent, even though they earned income in the U.S.,
did not and will not file a U.S. tax return because their
income was below the tax filing threshold.

The parent filed or will file a foreign tax return.

The parent did not and will not file a U.S. tax return for
reasons other than low income.

The parent either earned income in a foreign country but did not
and will not file a foreign tax return, or worked for an international
organization and was not required to report income on any tax return.

The parent did not and will not file any tax return because
they did not earn any income or they were not required
to file under the Internal Revenue Code.

International organizations include, for example, the United Nations, World
Bank, and International Monetary Fund.

Did or will the parent file a 2024 joint tax return with their current spouse?

Yes

38 P a r e n t 2 0 2 4 Ta x R e t u r n I n f o r m a t i o n
Head of household

Married filing jointly

No
[If the parent had a spouse at any time
in 2024 or later, see Notes page 23.]

Filing status
Single

Parent

37 P a r e n t Ta x F i l i n g S t a t u s

Married filing separately

Qualifying surviving spouse

►Convert all currency to U.S. dollars. If the answer is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0.
If the answer is negative, completely fill the circle (

) before the answer box.

Income earned from work
$

Tax exempt interest income

Untaxed portions of IRA distributions
$

IRS Form 1040: line 4a minus 4b

Untaxed portions of pensions
$

IRS Form 1040: line 5a minus 5b

IRS Form 1040: line 2a

IRS Form 1040 (or 1040-NR): line 1z + Schedule 1: lines 3 + 6.
If a tax form line’s value is negative, treat it as zero in your calculation.

IRA rollover into another IRA or qualified plan
$

Pension rollover into an IRA or other qualified plan

[Question 38 continues on next page.]

Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

38 P a r e n t 2 0 2 4 Ta x R e t u r n I n f o r m a t i o n
Adjusted gross income

IRS Form 1040 (or 1040-NR): line 11

Yes

IRS Form 1040: line 27

IRA deductions and payments to self-employed
SEP, SIMPLE, and qualified plans

IRS Form 1040 Schedule C: line 31

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 3: line 3 + IRS Form 1040: line 29

Yes

Don’t know
[See Notes page 23.]

Net profit or loss from IRS Form 1040
Schedule C

Don’t know

(American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning credits)

Did the parent file a Schedule A, B, D, E, F, or H
with their 2024 IRS Form 1040?

Education credits

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 1: total of lines 16 + 20

IRS Form 1040: line 24. If negative, enter a zero.

Did the parent receive the earned income credit (EIC)?

2026–27

[continued]
Income tax paid

Amount of college grants, scholarships, or AmeriCorps
benefits reported as income to the IRS

This question is typically answered with a zero because most of these
items (including Federal Pell Grants) are not considered taxable income.
If the parent is married, include the amount their spouse reported.

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 1: line 8d

39 A n n u a l C h i l d S u p p o r t R e c e i v e d

Enter total amount the parent received in child support for the last complete calendar year. If the answer to question 32 was “Married,”
“Remarried,” or “Unmarried and both legal parents living together,” enter the combined amount the parent and their spouse received.
If the answer is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0.
$

Parent

Foreign earned income exclusion

40 P a r e n t A s s e t s

[See Notes page 23.]

If the answer to question 32 was “Married,” “Remarried,” or “Unmarried and both legal parents living together,” enter the combined
amounts held by the parent and their spouse. If the answer is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0.

Current total of cash, savings,
and checking accounts
$

Don’t include student aid, retirement
accounts, or investments.

Current net worth of investments,
including real estate

Current net worth of businesses
and farms

Don’t include the home the parent lives in.
Net worth is the value of the investments
minus any debts owed against them.

Enter the net worth of the parent’s businesses and incomeproducing farms. Net worth is the value of the businesses
and farms minus any debts owed against them.

41 P a r e n t C o n s e n t , A p p r o v a l , a n d S i g n a t u r e

[See page 6.]

Refer to the terms on page 6. By filling in the answer circle below and signing this form, you (the parent) agree to the terms set forth on page 6. If you do
not provide consent and approval by filling in the circle below and providing your signature, the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.

Consent and approval to transfer federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Parent signature

Date signed

Handwritten original signature using full name is required.

MM / DD / YYYY

Parent

Spouse or Partner

Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

►Do not complete this section if you are not the student’s legal parent or stepparent. See “Who must provide information on the

FAFSA form?”, on page 3, to determine if the parent spouse or partner must complete this section.
Questions 42–46 apply to the parent spouse or partner. Leave blank any questions that don’t apply to the parent spouse or partner.

42 P a r e n t S p o u s e o r P a r t n e r I d e n t i t y I n f o r m a t i o n
The parent spouse or partner’s full legal name, for example, as it appears on their Social Security card.

First name
Middle name
Last name
Suffix (e.g., Jr. or III)

Date of birth
/

Social Security number (SSN)
–

If the parent spouse or partner does not have
an SSN, enter all zeros.

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
–

–

MM / DD / YYYY

–

43 P a r e n t S p o u s e o r P a r t n e r C o n t a c t I n f o r m a t i o n

[See Notes page 21.]

Mobile phone number

–

Email address
Continue on
next line.

Permanent mailing address
Continue on
next line.

Include apt. number.

City
ZIP code

State

Country
–

44 P a r e n t S p o u s e o r P a r t n e r Ta x F i l i n g S t a t u s

S pouse or Partner

–

Parent

If the parent spouse or partner does not have an ITIN, leave this field blank.

[See Notes page 22.]

►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

Did or will the parent spouse or partner file a 2024 IRS Form 1040 or 1040-NR?

Yes

If the answer is “No,” indicate which one of the following situations applies to the parent spouse or partner for 2024:
►If one of the options in the second column below is selected, question 45 can be skipped.
The parent spouse or partner filed or will file a tax return with Puerto
Rico or another U.S. territory.
The parent spouse or partner filed or will file a foreign tax return.
The parent spouse or partner either earned income in a foreign country but
did not and will not file a foreign tax return, or worked for an international
organization and was not required to report income on any tax return.
International organizations include, for example, the United Nations, World Bank,
and International Monetary Fund.

The parent spouse or partner, even though they earned
income in the U.S., did not and will not file a U.S. tax return
because their income was below the tax filing threshold.
The parent spouse or partner did not and will not file a
U.S. tax return for reasons other than low income.
The parent spouse or partner did not and will not file any
tax return because they did not earn any income or they
were not required to file under the Internal Revenue Code.

Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit
2026–27
[See Notes page 23.]

45 Parent Spouse or Partner 2024 Tax Return Information
►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

Filing status
Single

Head of household

Married filing jointly

Married filing separately

Qualifying surviving spouse

►Convert all currency to U.S. dollars. If the answer is zero or the question does not apply, enter 0.
If the answer is negative, completely fill the circle (

) before the answer box.

Income earned from work

Tax exempt interest income

IRS Form 1040 (or 1040-NR): line 1z + Schedule 1: lines 3 + 6.
If a tax form line’s value is negative, treat it as zero in your calculation.

IRS Form 1040: line 2a

Untaxed portions of IRA distributions

IRS Form 1040: line 4a minus 4b

IRS Form 1040: line 5a minus 5b

,
,

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 3: line 3 + IRS Form 1040: line 29

Yes

Don’t know

Foreign earned income exclusion

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 1: line 8d

46 Parent Spouse or Partner Consent, Approval, and Signature
►See “Can I skip any questions?”, on page 4.

[See page 6.]

S pouse or Partner

(American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning credits)

Net profit or loss from IRS Form 1040 Schedule C
IRS Form 1040 Schedule C: line 31

Education credits

IRS Form 1040: line 24. If negative, enter a zero.

Did the parent spouse or partner file a Schedule A, B,
D, E, F, or H with their 2024 IRS Form 1040?

,
,

IRS Form 1040 Schedule 1: total of lines 16 + 20

Income tax paid

IRA deductions and payments to self-employed
SEP, SIMPLE, and qualified plans

Pension rollover into an IRA or other qualified plan

IRS Form 1040 (or 1040-NR): line 11

Parent

Adjusted gross income
$

IRA rollover into another IRA or qualified plan

Untaxed portions of pensions
$

Refer to the terms on page 6. By filling in the answer circle below and signing this form, you (the parent spouse or partner) agree to the terms set forth on page 6.
If you do not provide consent and approval by filling in the circle below and providing your signature, the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.

Consent and approval to transfer federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Parent spouse or partner signature

Date signed

Handwritten original signature using full name is required.

MM / DD / YYYY

Incarcerated Applicant Form

Preparer

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

►See “Who must provide information on the FAFSA form?”, on page 3, to determine if a preparer must complete this section.
Paid preparers are prohibited.

Questions 47–49 apply to the preparer. Leave blank any questions that don’t apply to the preparer.

47 P r e p a r e r I d e n t i t y I n f o r m a t i o n
First name
Last name
Social Security number (SSN)
–

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

–

Preparer

48 P r e p a r e r C o n t a c t I n f o r m a t i o n
Affiliation / Organization

Permanent mailing address
Continue on
next line.

Include apt. number.

City

State

ZIP code
–

49 P r e p a r e r S i g n a t u r e

[See page 6.]

Refer to the terms on page 6. By signing this form, you (the preparer) agree to the terms set forth on page 6.

Preparer signature

Date signed
/

MM / DD / YYYY

Mail Your FAFSA® Form
Make a copy of pages 7 through 20 for your records. Then mail the original of pages 7 through 20 to:

Federal Student Aid Programs, P.O. Box 70205, London, KY 40742-0205
Extra postage will be required. When mailing, include pages 7 through 20, even if some are blank.

College Use Only
Federal school code

D/O

FAA signature

Data Entry Use Only
*

Incarcerated Applicant Form

Notes

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

Identity Information – Question 1

or served on active or inactive duty for training in the U.S. armed
forces and were disabled from an injury incurred or aggravated in
the line of duty, and (2) were released under a condition other than
dishonorable. Also select the box if you are not a veteran now but will
be one by June 30, 2027.

Enter your Social Security number (SSN) as it appears on your Social
Security card. Attention student residents of Freely Associated
States (Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands,
or Federated States of Micronesia): If the student is a first-time
applicant, enter “000” in the first three boxes of the field and leave the
remaining six positions blank; we will create an identification number
to be used for federal student aid purposes. If the student was
issued an identification number beginning with “666” when previously
submitting a FAFSA form, enter that number in the Social Security
number field.

Do not select the box if you (1) are currently serving in the U.S.
armed forces and will continue to serve through June 30, 2027,
(2) have never engaged in active duty (including basic training) in
the U.S. armed forces, (3) are currently a ROTC student or a cadet
or midshipman at a service academy, (4) are a National Guard or
Reserves enlistee activated only for state or training purposes, or (5)
were engaged in active duty in the U.S. armed forces but released
under dishonorable conditions.

If you have a StudentAid.gov account or submitted a FAFSA form in
a prior year, enter your name exactly as you did for your account or
prior FAFSA form. If you have changed your name with the Social
Security Administration since then, use your most current name.

Contact Information – Questions 2, 26, 31, and 43

If you are homeless or have no stable address, you can provide
an address where you can reliably receive mail. If you secure a
permanent address during the school year, we recommend that you
update your address in your FAFSA form.
Common country codes: US (United States), CA (Canada), and MX
(Mexico). For U.S. territories, use their state code as their country
code (for example, PR for Puerto Rico).

Current Marital Status – Questions 3 and 32
Question 3, Student Marital Status, cannot be left blank.

Report your marital status as of the date you sign your FAFSA form.
If your marital status changes after you sign your FAFSA form, check
with the financial aid office at the college.
For parents: Do not include any person who is not married to the
student’s parent and who is not a legal parent. Contact 1-800-4333243 for help.
If the student’s legal parents are:
• married, select “Married” or “Remarried.”
• not married to each other and live together, select “Unmarried and
both legal parents living together.”
• divorced but living together, select “Unmarried and both legal
parents living together.”
• separated but living together, select “Married,” not “Divorced” or
“Separated.”

Personal Circumstances – Question 5

Active Duty: Select this box if you are currently serving in the U.S.
armed forces or are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who is on
active duty for other than state or training purposes. Do not check the
box if you are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who is on active
duty for state or training purposes.
Veteran: Select this box if you (1) have engaged in active duty
(including basic training) in the U.S. armed forces (military, naval,
air, or space service), are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who
was called to active duty for other than state or training purposes,

Notes

We will use your email address to communicate with you electronically.
For example, when this FAFSA form has been processed, the student
and parent will be notified by email. Your email address will also be
shared with your state and the colleges listed on your FAFSA form
to allow them to communicate with you. We suggest using an email
address you’ll continue to have access to after you leave school.

The term “active duty for training” means: (A) full-time duty in the
armed forces performed by Reserves for training purposes; (B) fulltime duty for training purposes performed as a commissioned officer
of the Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service (i) on or after
July 29, 1945, or (ii) before that date under circumstances affording
entitlement to “full military benefits”, or (iii) at any time, for the
purposes of chapter 13 of this title; (C) in the case of members of the
Army National Guard or Air National Guard of any State, full-time duty
under section 316 (duty as instructors at rifle ranges for the training
of civilians in the use of military arms), 502 (Required drills and field
exercises), 503 (Participation in field exercises), 504 (National Guard
schools and small arms competitions), or 505 (Army and Air Force
schools and field exercises) of title 32, or the prior corresponding
provisions of law; (D) duty performed by a member of a Senior
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program when ordered to such duty
for the purpose of training or a practice cruise under chapter 103 of
title 10 for a period of not less than four weeks and which must be
completed by the member before the member is commissioned; and
(E) authorized travel to or from such duty. The term does not include
duty performed as a temporary member of the Coast Guard Reserve.
The term “inactive duty training” means: (A) duty (other than full-time
duty) prescribed for Reserves (including commissioned officers of
the Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service) by the Secretary
concerned under section 206 of title 37 or any other provision of
law; (B) special additional duties authorized for Reserves (including
commissioned officers of the Reserve Corps of the Public Health
Service) by an authority designated by the Secretary concerned
and performed by them on a voluntary basis in connection with the
prescribed training or maintenance activities of the units to which they
are assigned; and (C) training (other than active duty for training)
by a member of, or applicant for membership (as defined in section
8140[g] of title 5) in, the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
prescribed under chapter 103 of title 10.
Orphan: Select this box if at any time since you turned 13, you had
no living parent, even if you are now adopted.
Ward of the Court: Select this box if at any time since you turned
13, you were a dependent or ward of the court, even if you are no
longer a dependent or ward of the court today. For federal student aid
purposes, someone who is incarcerated is not considered a ward of
the court.
Foster Care: Select this box if at any time since you turned 13, you
were in foster care, even if you are no longer in foster care today.
If you are not sure if you were in foster care, check with your state
child welfare agency. You can find that agency’s contact information
at childwelfare.gov/nfcad.
[Notes continue on next page.]

Incarcerated Applicant Form

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

Emancipation: Select this box if you can provide a copy of a court’s
decision that, as of today, you are an emancipated minor. Also, select
the box if you can provide a copy of a court’s decision that you were
an emancipated minor immediately before you reached the age of
being an adult in your state. The court must be located in your state
of legal residence at the time the court’s decision was issued. Do
not select the box if you are still a minor and the court decision is no
longer in effect or the court decision was not in effect at the time you
became an adult.

designation of “Victim of human trafficking.”

Legal Guardianship: The definition of legal guardianship does not
include your parents, even if they were appointed by a court to be
your guardians. You are also not considered a legal guardian of
yourself.

Parent Killed in Line of Duty – Question 16

If you meet any of these conditions, the financial aid administrator at
your school may require you to provide proof that you were in foster
care, a dependent or ward of the court, an emancipated minor, or in
a legal guardianship.

Homelessness – Question 6

“Homeless” means lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing.
You may be homeless if you are living in shelters, parks, motels,
hotels, public spaces, camping grounds, cars, abandoned buildings,
or temporarily living with other people because you have nowhere
else to go. Also, if you are living in any of these situations and fleeing
an abusive parent, you may be considered homeless even if your
parent would otherwise provide a place to live.
“Unaccompanied” means you are not living in the physical custody
of your parent or guardian.
If you selected “Yes” to being unaccompanied and homeless (or
unaccompanied, self-supporting, and at risk of being homeless) at
any time on or after July 1, 2025, select the appropriate box if you
received a determination to that effect. (The financial aid administrator
at your college may ask you for a copy of the determination.) If you
answered “Yes” but did not receive a determination from the persons
listed, select “None of these apply” and contact the financial aid
administrator at your college. This person can determine if you are
“homeless” and, therefore, not required to provide parent information.

Citizenship – Question 13

If you are an eligible noncitizen, write in your eight- or nine-digit
A-Number. Generally, you are an eligible noncitizen if you are (1)
a permanent U.S. resident with a Permanent Resident Card (I551); (2) a conditional permanent resident with a Conditional Green
Card (I-551C); (3) the holder of an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94)
from the Department of Homeland Security showing any one of the
following designations: “Refugee,” “Asylum Granted,” “Parolee” (I94 confirms that you were paroled for a minimum of one year and
status has not expired), T-Visa holder (T-1, T-2, T-3, etc.) or “CubanHaitian Entrant;” or (4) the holder of a valid certification or eligibility
letter from the Department of Health and Human Services showing a

A public safety officer generally includes the following:

• Law enforcement officer, firefighter, or chaplain
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee
• Emergency management or civil defense agency employee
• Member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew
• Others defined in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act
of 1968.

High School Information – Question 17

Only select “None of the previous” if the student won’t have any of
the previous options when starting the 2026–27 school year. Staterecognized high school equivalents: GED®: General Educational
Development Test; HiSET®: High School Equivalency Test; and
TASCTM: Test Assessing Secondary Completion.

Federal Benefits Received – Questions 18 and 36

Answer this question about you, your spouse, or anyone in your
family. Answering these questions will NOT reduce eligibility for
student aid or these programs.

Notes

Select this box if you can provide a copy of a court’s decision that,
as of today, you are in a legal guardianship. Also, select the box if
you can provide a copy of a court’s decision that you were in a legal
guardianship immediately before you reached the age of being an
adult in your state. The court must be located in your state of legal
residence at the time the court’s decision was issued. Do not select
the box if you are still a minor and the court decision is no longer in
effect or the court decision was not in effect at the time you became
an adult. Also, leave the box blank and contact your school if custody
was awarded by the courts and the court papers say “custody” (not
“guardianship”).

If you are in the U.S. and have been granted Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an F1 or F2 student visa, a J1 or J2
exchange visitor visa, or a G series visa (pertaining to international
organizations), select “Neither citizen nor eligible noncitizen.” You will
not be eligible for federal student aid. If you have a Social Security
number but are not a citizen or an eligible noncitizen, including if you
have been granted DACA, you may still complete the FAFSA form to
determine eligibility for state and/or college aid.

The refundable credit for coverage under a QHP is also known as
a “health insurance subsidy under a federal or state marketplace.”
TANF has different names in many states. Call 1-800-433-3243 to
find out the name of your state’s program.
Select “Free or reduced-price school lunch” only if recipient’s family
met U.S. Department of Agriculture income requirements. Don’t
select it if they didn’t meet these requirements and only received this
benefit because they live in a school district, city, county, or state that
offers free or reduced-price meals to all enrolled students, regardless
of income (sometimes called Community Eligibility Provision, or
CEP).

Tax Filing Status – Questions 19, 27, 37, and 44
Question 19, Student Tax Filing Status, cannot be left blank.

U.S. territories include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the
U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
For more information about IRS tax filing thresholds, see IRS
Publication 17.
If you filed or will file a foreign tax return or IRS 1040-NR, or a tax
return with Puerto Rico, another U.S. territory, or one of the Freely
Associated States, use the information from that return to fill out this
form. If you filed a non-U.S. tax return or earned income in a foreign
country, visit StudentAid.gov/2627/help/non-us-tax-information for
guidance on how to answer questions about tax return items.

2024 Tax Return Information – Questions 20, 28, 38,
and 45

Questions 20 (Student) and 28 (Student Spouse): If the student
filed jointly with a spouse in 2024 and is currently married to that
person, the joint information of both should be entered in question
20, and the spouse should not complete question 28.
[Notes continue on next page.]

FAFSA_26-27_Incarc_en_2025-04-28 Do not submit

2026–27

If the student filed jointly with a spouse in 2024 but is no longer
married to that person, only the student’s information should be
entered in question 20, and no information from the former spouse
should be entered in questions 20 or 28.
If the student did not file jointly with a spouse in 2024 and is currently
married, only the student’s information should be entered in question
20, and the spouse should complete question 28 with their own
information.
Questions 38 (Parent) and 45 (Parent Spouse or Partner): If the
parent filed jointly with a spouse or partner in 2024 and is currently
married to or living together with that person, the joint information
of both should be entered in question 38, and the spouse or partner
should not complete question 45.
If the parent filed jointly with a spouse or partner in 2024 but is
no longer married to or living with that person, only the parent’s
information should be entered in question 38, and no information
from the former spouse or partner should be entered in questions
38 or 45.
If the parent did not file jointly with a spouse or partner in 2024 and
is currently married or living together with a partner, only the parent’s
information should be entered in question 38, and the spouse or
partner should complete question 45 with their own information.

College Grants, Scholarships, or AmeriCorps Benefits Reported
to the IRS: Taxable college grant and scholarship aid reported to
the IRS as income. Includes AmeriCorps benefits (awards, living
allowances, and interest accrual payments), as well as grant and
scholarship portions of fellowships and assistantships. If the response
is other than zero, the amount is typically not the same as the amount
reported on Form 1098-T (Box 5) or the adjusted gross income you
reported on your tax return.

Assets – Questions 22 and 40

Net worth means the current value, as of today, of investments,
businesses, and/or investment farms, minus debts related to those
same investments, businesses, and/or investment farms. When
calculating net worth, use 0 for investments or properties with a
negative value.

Investments also do not include UGMA/UTMA accounts for which
the student is the custodian but not the owner or the value of qualified
education benefits or education savings accounts that are for the
benefit of the parent’s other children (not the student).
Investment value means the current balance or market value of
these investments as of today. Investment debt means only those
debts that are related to the investments.
Businesses and farms include businesses that you own (including
a small or family-run business) or income-producing farms that you
own (including the fair market value of land, buildings, livestock,
unharvested crops, and machinery actively used in farming,
agricultural, or commercial activities).
Businesses and farms do not include the value of crops that are
grown solely for consumption by the student and their family or the
home in which you live. If the home in which you live is also located
on a farm that you own, do not include the net value of that principal
residence in the net value of all farm assets. The principal residence
may include the home, structures, and land that are adjacent to the
home that are not being used, stored, or sold for farming or other
commercial activities.

Colleges – Question 23

Indicate the schools that you want to receive your FAFSA information.
You can find federal school codes at StudentAid.gov/fafsa-apply/
colleges or by calling 1-800-433-3243. If you cannot obtain a code,
write in the complete name, address, city, and state of the college.
If you want more schools to receive your FAFSA information, read
What is the FAFSA form?, on page 3. Most of the information you
included on your FAFSA form, except for the list of colleges, will
be sent to each of the colleges you listed. In addition, most of your
FAFSA information, including the list of colleges, will be sent to your
state grant agency.

Notes

See also “Who must provide information on the FAFSA form?,” on
page 3.

insurance, ABLE accounts, retirement plans (401[k] plans, pension
funds, annuities, non-education IRAs, Keogh plans, etc.), or cash,
savings, and checking accounts reported in the previous question.

For federal student aid purposes, it does not matter in what order
you list your selected schools. However, the order may affect your
eligibility for state aid. Consult your state agency or StudentAid.gov/
order for details.

Investments include real estate (do not include the home in which
you live), rental property (includes a unit within a family home that
has its own entrance, kitchen, and bath rented to someone other than
a family member), trust funds, UGMA and UTMA accounts, money
market funds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, stocks, stock
options, bonds, other securities, installment and land sale contracts
(including mortgages held), commodities, etc.
Investments also include qualified education benefits or education
savings accounts such as Coverdell savings accounts, 529 college
savings plans, and the refund value of 529 prepaid tuition plans. If the
student is required to report parent information on the FAFSA form,
parents should not report the value of education savings accounts
for other children. Qualified education benefits or education savings
accounts must be reported as an asset of the parent if the student is
required to report parent information. If the student is not required to
report parent information on the FAFSA form, the education benefit or
savings account is reported as an asset of the student. UGMA and UTMA
accounts are considered the assets of the student and must be reported
as an asset of the student on the FAFSA form, regardless of whether the
student is required to report parent information.
Investments do not include the home you live in, the value of life

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
Subject	2026-2027, FAFSA, Free, Application, Federal, Student Aid, Education, U.S., Department of Education, Education, Aid, Student Aid
Author	U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid
File Modified	2025-05-06
File Created	2025-04-28