Updating FAFSA After Filing Taxes

The 2023-2024 FAFSA asks for prior prior year tax information. In most cases people have already filed their 2021 taxes and can transfer their tax information directly into the FAFSA right away using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. This is fast, accurate and lessens the amount of paperwork that you may be required to submit.

If you submitted a 2023-2024 FAFSA before completing your 2021 tax return here's what you must do to update your information.

Student Tax Information

If you indicated on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that you "will file" your 2021 IRS income tax return, you must follow these steps after completing your taxes:

1. Update your FAFSA with your final income and tax data in the Financial Information - Student section. If possible, utilize the IRS Data Retrieval process to reduce the chance that your application will be selected for verification.
2. Change the answer to the FAFSA question that asks if you have completed your income tax return to "already completed."

This will prompt a review, and possible revision, of your financial aid offer. You must complete these steps before any financial aid will be paid to your Bethel student account.

Parent Tax Information

If you indicated on your FAFSA that your parent(s) "will file" their 2021 IRS income tax return, you must follow these steps after they complete their taxes:

1. Update your FAFSA with their final income and tax data in the Financial Information - Parent section. If possible, utilize the IRS Data Retrieval process to reduce the chance that your application will be selected for verification.
2. Change the answer to the FAFSA question that asks if your parents have completed their income tax return to "already completed."

This will prompt a review, and possible revision, of your financial aid offer. You must complete these steps before any financial aid will be paid to your Bethel student account.