The next section will guide you step-by-step through the application questions. If you are using FAFSA on the Web^SM, you will be asked to either key in your answers or use the drop-down menus or radio buttons to select your answers as you progress through the Web site. If you are filing a PDF or paper FAFSA^SM, use the Notes pages as a guide to write or fill in the answers on the six-page application.

FAFSA on the Web offers the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet to help you prepare to complete the FAFSA online. We suggest that you print a copy of the worksheet and write your answers down on the worksheet so that you can easily transfer the data from the worksheet to the Web when you begin completing the FAFSA online.

FAFSA on the Web filers may be able to skip some questions based on their answers to earlier questions. You might qualify if, for example, you (and your parents, if you are a dependent student) don't have income over a certain amount and filed, or were eligible to file, an IRS Form 1040A or 1040EZ (that is, not required to file an IRS Form 1040). If you are able to skip certain questions, FAFSA on the Web will only display the questions you need to answer. However, you will also have the option to answer all questions since some states and schools require this information anyway.