Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page! Here you’ll find answers to the questions we hear most often from new Mainers about filing the FAFSA. Do you have a question that’s not listed here? Reach out to Floreka Malual, FAME’s College Planning Advisor at 207-620-3530 or via email.
Am I eligible to receive federal student aid?
To be eligible to receive federal student aid, you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen. Not sure if you’re an eligible noncitizen? Use our interactive questionnaire to help you find out.
As an eligible noncitizen, is there any additional information I need to provide when completing the FAFSA?
You must enter your eight- or nine-digit Alien Registration Number (ARN) on the FAFSA.
As an undocumented student or DACA student, can I file the FAFSA?
Undocumented students, including DACA students and Dreamers, are not eligible for federal student aid. However, you may be eligible for state and/or college financial aid. Most states and colleges use information collected on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine whether you are eligible for aid. If you have a Social Security number, you may complete the FAFSA. Check with your high school counselor or your college or career school financial aid office to identify the type(s) of financial aid you may be eligible to receive and determine if the FAFSA is the application form for that aid.
As an eligible noncitizen, what will I need to complete the FAFSA?
If you are a dependent student, you will need:
- Social Security numbers (SSN) for both you and your parent(s)
- Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if not a U.S. citizen)
- W-2 forms and other records of money earned for both you and your parents
- Federal income tax returns for both you and your parent(s)
- Current bank statements for you and your parent(s)
- If applicable, you will also need:
- Untaxed income records for you and your parent(s)
- Current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, and stock, bond and other investment records for you and your parent(s)
If you are NOT a dependent student, you will need:
- Your Social Security number (SSN)
- Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if not a U.S. citizen)
- Your W-2 forms and other records of money earned
- Your (and if married, your spouse’s) federal income tax return
- Your current bank statements
- If applicable, you will also need:
- Your untaxed income records
- Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, and stock, bond and other investment records
One or both of my parents live outside of the United States. Do I need to include their financial information?
If you (and your spouse) or your parents filed a foreign tax return, use the information from the foreign tax return to complete the FAFSA.
Typically, you will need to provide parent(s) information if you are considered a dependent student. You parent(s)’s specific situation will determine whose information is required so review the below carefully:
- If your parents are married and one parent lives outside of U.S., both parents’ information will be needed. Parents will indicate that they are “Married filing separately.” The U.S. residing parent will include their requested tax information. The international parent will provide his/her income and asset information, converted into U.S. Dollars and indicate “Foreign Country” and “Foreign Tax Return” where appropriate.
- If your parents are not legally married or are divorced, information will be required only for the parent you reside within the U.S.
- If both of your parents reside outside of the U.S. but continue to provide most of your financial support, you will provide information for both parents. You parents will indicate “Foreign Country” and “Foreign Tax Return” were appropriate.
If your parent does not have a Social Security Number, enter all zeros (e.g. 000000000).
How do you represent income from a foreign tax return?
If you (and your spouse) or your parents filed a foreign tax return, use the information from the foreign tax return to complete the federal student aid forms. Convert all monetary units to U.S. dollars using the published exchange rate in effect for the date nearest to the date you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit the Federal Reserve Board’s website to get current exchange rates.
