Student Demographic Questions | Step 3

If you have not read through steps 1 and 2, we suggest you start with step #1. If you are ready to file your FAFSA form or Renewal FAFSA form online, then please click here.

Step #3: Student Demographics

Once you have set up your basic FAFSA account, you will be taken to a page asking some basic demographic questions. If you have completed a FAFSA electronically in years past, these answers may be pre-filled. Double check them!

Make sure your name is in the correct order: Last, First, MI.

Be absolutely, positively sure you have got your Social Security Number (SSN) right. Nothing will kill a FAFSA faster than a mistake on the SSN.

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Whenever you are filling out basic information, use the same information as on your IRS tax return, which should be identical to the information on your Social Security paperwork/card.

Your permanent address is the same as the address you use on your tax returns and the same address where you are registered to vote. It is most likely NOT your address at school. For homeless students, parents, and families, or those living in transitional situations, this is the address at which you can receive postal mail, such as a shelter or program.

For permanent phone number, this can be your mobile/cell phone number as long as it's permanent enough that someone from a college financial aid office can call it and reach you. Don't use forwarded numbers, voice mail boxes, or phone numbers at school.

No driver's license? State ID will do. No ID at all? You can leave Question 11-12 blank, but it's not encouraged.

Double-check your email address. The Department of Education will send FAFSA reminders, status updates, and results to that email address.

Marital status is technically as of the day you file the FAFSA, but is one of the few fields on the FAFSA that you cannot correct later. If you will be changing status (getting married, divorced, or separated) by the time you file your next federal tax return, use the status you will use on your tax return. (for example, if you will get married in 2010 and plan to file your 2010 taxes as married, use married on the FAFSA).

A welcome change to the FAFSA this year is that when errors have been detected in your completion of the FAFSA form, the application does a much better job of highlighting what needs to be changed.

For example, in the basic demographic information form, you can see the error message displayed at the top of the page:

...and also see on the form itself where corrections need to be made:

Now that you've completed basic demographics, move on to Step #4 of the 2010-2011 FAFSA.

Start Your FAFSA - Financial Aid Application Form