Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the most important document you will need when seeking federal student aid. A current FAFSA must be on file at the Office of Financial Aid for any type of federal or state student aid including work-study and loans.

This is a free application and it is based on financial need. You must mail your FASFA to the federal processor or file online.

To be considered for financial aid at ENMU, you must list Eastern New Mexico University as a school of interest in Step VI. Eastern's school code is 002651.

Once we receive your FAFSA from the federal processor, your application will be evaluated, and we will give you an award offer.

Information about the FAFSA

• The FAFSA is available through the Office of Financial Aid, most high school counselor offices, and online.
• The FAFSA is a free application.
• You must complete a new FAFSA every academic year.

Documents to Complete the FAFSA

• You and your parents' tax returns
• You and your parents' W2 forms
• Records of untaxed income
• Current bank statements
• Mortgage information
• Business or farm records
• Records of stocks, bonds and other investments
• Social security benefits, retirement and other documents

The Department of Education has a FAFSA Web site to aid in completing the FAFSA. They also offer a computer program to help fill out and send in the FAFSA by modem. The Windows compatible program is called FAFSA Express. If your Internet browser is capable of 128 bit encryption, you may apply online with the Department of Education's FAFSA on the Web.

Instructions to complete a 2006–2007 FAFSA

Follow all instructions carefully. Read everything. Review everything you have completed. Make sure every applicable question on every page is answered.

Step I

Questions 1–3
Find your Social Security card and use your name as it is printed on your Social Security card. Do not use nicknames.

Question 8
Take your Social Security Number directly from your Social Security card.

Question 9
Double check the year on your date of birth. Make sure you did not write the current year by accident.

Question 16
If you file as "not married" for Department of Education purposes, you will remain as you filed all year.

Question 22
You can check "yes" to this question and have Selective Service register you.

Question 28
If you wish to be considered for work-study, you must answer "yes" to this question.

Question 31: You must answer this question.
Failure to answer this question could jeopardize your financial aid. If you have any questions, you should call 800.433.3243 for assistance.

Step II

Question 36
This area causes some of the most common errors resulting in lengthy delays. Amount of U.S. Income Tax paid is NOT the same as amount of U. S. Income Tax withheld. The FAFSA will direct you to the specific tax line.

Question 40–42
Did you have to report financial aid (scholarships, grants, or work-study) on your federal income tax form? Did you pay child support out of your taxable income? If so, you should complete and save a copy of worksheet B.

Step III

If you answered "yes" to any question in Step III, go directly to Step V.
If you answered "no" to all questions in this step, go directly to Step IV.

Step IV

Questions 57–60
You must include your father's (or stepfather's) Social Security Number, last name and date of birth.

Questions 61–64
You must include your mother's (or stepmother's) Social Security Number, last name and date of birth.

Question 73
You must include the required information about your parents or stepparents that you reside with. Read instructions carefully and complete accordingly.

Question 74
This area (Amount of U.S. income tax paid) causes some of the most common errors resulting in lengthy delays. U.S. income tax paid is NOT the same as income tax withheld. The FAFSA will direct you to the specific tax line.

Question 78–80
Did your parents pay child support out of their taxable income? If so, you should complete and save a copy of worksheet B.

Step V

Question 84–85
How many people in your parents' or stepparents' household will be attending college between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008? This does not include your parents.

Step VI

You should indicate all schools of interest. Eastern's school code is 002651. Our address is:

ENMU Station 20
1500 S Ave K
Portales, NM 88130

Be sure to tell us your housing plans while attending college.

Step VII

Don't forget to sign your FAFSA. If you were required to provide your parents' tax information, one of your parents must sign your FAFSA. This can be done by using your Department of Education pin number.