Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Each year, the federal government provides more than $150 billion in financial aid (grants, work-study, and loans) for colleges or career schools. To apply for this aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Also, state governments and many colleges and career schools use FAFSA information to award financial aid.
HOW TO SUBMIT
1) Electronic form (fill out at http://fafsa.gov/)
2) Mail-in application (download PDF at fafsa.gov or order paper form at www.edpubs.gov)
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
1) Social Security Number (dependent students need their parents’ Social Security numbers, too)
2) Driver’s license number (if available)
3) Federal tax information or tax returns (student’s and parents’ if a dependent student)
a. IRS W-2 information
b. IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ
4) Records of untaxed income, such as child support, interest income, and veteran non-education benefits
5) Information on: cash, savings and checking account balances, investments, stocks, bonds, real estate, (not including the home in which you live), and business and farm assets for students (and parents if a dependent student)
FEDERAL STUDENT AID PIN
Students need a Federal Student Aid PIN, a personal identification number that allows students to sign the FAFSA electronically. The PIN can also be used to electronically sign loan contracts and to access certain information online. Students must go to www.pin.ed.gov and follow the instructions to request a PIN.
DETERMINING DEPENDENCY STATUS
The FAFSA lists a series of questions that determine whether students are classified as dependent or independent for the purpose of applying for federal student aid. Dependent students must report parent information, along with their own information on the FAFSA. Students can determine their status at https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out/dependency.
TIPS FOR COMPLETING THE FAFSA
1) Use the Internal Revenue Service Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT)
If students file taxes BEFORE filling out the FAFSA, they may be able to retrieve and transfer tax information into the form automatically using the IRS DRT. If students file taxes AFTER filling out the FAFSA, they may be able to use the IRS DRT to correct their FAFSA information. Visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out#when-irs-drt for more information.
2) Make sure to select "Yes” when asked if interested in work-study
Many schools use the information from this question on the FAFSA to determine what types of aid to award. If students are not sure about work-study, they should still indicate an interest in the program. Since most schools have limited work-study funds, these funds might not be available at a later date. Students can always change their mind at a later date and decline any unwanted aid.
3) KNOW YOUR DEADLINES
Each state and school has its own FAFSA deadline. Check your school’s deadline in its website or by calling the financial aid office. Most state deadlines can be viewed at http://fafsa.gov/deadlines.htm.
GETTING HELP
1) Read the “Help and Hints” located on the right side of any FAFSAentry page (The hints change depending on the question)
2) Click “Need Help?” at the bottom of any FAFSAentry page (in other words, any page where students enter information into the application)
3) Chat with live technical support staff by clicking the “Help” icon with the big question mark at the top of any FAFSAentry page, and then selecting "Contact Us" below "Browse FAQs"
4) Contact the financial aid office at the student’s college or career school
5) For details about the purpose of FAFSA questions and how information should be reported in some unusual cases, try the guide called Completing the FAFSA located at https://studentaid.ed.gov/
6) Contact the local Marine & Family Programs Education Center for assistance
* All information found at the Federal Student Aid website. Please visit https://studentaid.ed.gov for more information. For a complete guide to completing the FAFSA go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/2014-15-completing-fafsa.pdf.
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Inspiring Generations to Learn for a Lifetime”December 2015
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Inspiring Generations to Learn for a Lifetime”December 2015
Inspiring Generations to Learn for a Lifetime”December 2015