Unless you have filed for an extension or are not required to file taxes, you will need to file and submit the processed tax return from the IRS in order to proceed with the financial aid application.

However, beginning with the 2017-2018 FAFSA, students will be required to complete the FAFSA with tax information from 2 years prior to the aid year. For example, on the 2017-2018 FAFSA, you and your parent/s (as appropriate) will report 2015 income and tax information. This change will make it easier to complete your FAFSA because you will have already completed your taxes by the time you fill it out.