<p>Due to past issues with fraud, theft, and drug use, I don't trust my step-son with my private information like my social security number and salary information. However, I would like to fill out the FAFSA so he has a shot at financial aid as he is still under 24 and considered a dependent student. If I fill it out for him and have the EFC sent to my address, is there a way to guarantee that my information remains private or would he be able to access it from the financial aid office at school?</p>
<p>No, the FAFSA has to be filled out BY the student, and he has to “sign” it with his PIN. He can sign back in to his FAFSA account anytime and review it. Even if you create the account in his name using an email address that he doesn’t have access to, and don’t tell him the password, and he agrees to give you his PIN to sign it for him (which is technically not permitted, but I’m sure it happens), I suspect he could look at <em>his</em> FAFSA which he has supposedly signed, in the financial aid office of his school. I’m not 100% sure of that, but the application is in the student’s name, so a finaid office would have no reason to hide it from him.</p>
<p>As the student, at any time he can log into the FAFSA and see the information on it since legally he is also responsible for the veracity of the information. Even if you set up a pin and sign for him, all he has to do is click forgot pin and get a new one.</p>
<p>Does this step son reside with you?</p>