Students without a Social Security number

Students without an SSN can’t complete the FAFSA but might be eligible for state and school financial aid. Contact your school’s financial aid office for details.

Parents without a Social Security number

• Does my parents’ citizenship status affect my eligibility for federal student aid?

No. Your parents’ citizenship status doesn’t affect your eligibility for federal student aid. In fact, the FAFSA form doesn’t even ask about your parents’ status.

• Does my parent need a Social Security number?

Parents do not need an SSN to complete the FAFSA. If your parents are undocumented they can complete the FAFSA by entering 000-00-0000 in the SSN field and printing, signing, and mailing the form.

• How should my parent submit their tax information?

If you filed your income tax return with the IRS, you may be able to access your tax information through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) and it will transfer to your FAFSA application. If you didn’t file an income tax return with the IRS, enter the requested financial information manually on the FAFSA website.

Students with a Social Security number

If you have a Social Security number, you are eligible to receive federal state aid. You can complete the FAFSA application and apply to your desired college.

• How do I answer the question that reads, “Are you a U.S. citizen?”

DACA students must answer that question by selecting the option “No, I am not a citizen or eligible noncitizen.”

• How do I answer the question that reads, “What is your state of legal residence?”

This includes parents’ state of legal residence as well. The state of legal residence is your permanent home. Being a DACA student doesn’t affect how you should answer this question. Each state determines legal residency differently. If needed contact your high school counselor or college or career school’s financial aid office for assistance with state of legal residence.

• What if my last name doesn’t fit in the allowed space?

If your last name doesn’t fit in the allowed space, submit as much as you can and it will be accepted. 

• How should my parent and I submit our tax information?

If you filed your income tax return with the IRS, you may be able to access your tax information through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) and it will transfer to your FAFSA application. If you didn’t file an income tax return with the IRS, enter the requested financial information manually on the FAFSA website.