FAFSA Information
Free Application for Federal Student AID
What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is the form that must be completed by students and parents applying for federal student aid. It is also used by many states and colleges to determine a student's aid eligibility. It is a comprehensive form. Be prepared to provide extensive information about your family's income and income taxes from the previous year: assets, family size, the number of family members attending college, and more.
Why Submit one?
The FAFSA is your starting point for applying to most student financial assistance programs. many schools also use the FAFSA as part of their application process for non-federal aid. If you need money for college, don't pass on this opportunity. Completing the FAFSA is free
When should I file the FAFSA?
To maximize your chances of receiving financial aid, submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 of the year for which you are requesting aid. Aid is generally awarded on a first-come, first-served basis ---- a late application may cause you to miss out on available funding.
How do I apply?
On the Web
Visit the FAFSA Web site www.fafsa.ed.gov and submit your application online. If you're interested in signing your FAFSA electronically, request a PIN www.pin.ed.gov It's important to protect the privacy of the information; start by keeping you PIN a secret and storing it in a safe place.
Paper FAFSA
Paper copies are no longer available in bulk in the counselor's office. Students will be able to obtain a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 (1-800-FED-AID)or www.edpubs.org students may request up to three copies of the paper application and should receive their FAFSAs in three to seven business days.
PDF version of the FAFSA
Beginning in mid-November the PDF will be available for download on various Federal Student Aid Web sites, such as www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov Students can access the PDF, complete the form on the computer or by hand, and mail it to the address provided for processing.
FAFSA on the Web Benefits
* Online help is available for each question
*Edits are built in to notify you of potential errors before the appliation is processed
*Electronic filing is faster than submitting the paper version
*Calculations are performed automatically
*Software encryption is enabled to protect personal information
Timeline of Events
(What to do before January 1)
1. Get a Social Security Number - Must have one in order for the application to be processed
2. Request a PIN - This allows you to apply and "sign" the FAFSA online, check the status of your submitted FAFSA and make corrections.
3. Make Note of State and College Deadlines and Requirements. College and state deadlines tend to be earlier than the federal deadlines and may require an application in addition to the FAFSA.
4. Obtain the online FAFSA workdsheet by one the methods listed above (on the web, paper version or PDF version)
(What to do after January 1)
5. Complete and Submit the FAFSA Apply as soon as you can after January 1 because funding can be awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
6. Review Your Student Aid Report (SAR) - Your SAR summarizes the data you reported on your FAFSA. When you receive your SAR, carefully review it line by line. Make corrections or changes, if necessary. If your FAFSA information is complete, an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is printed in the upper-right hand corner. Schools you listed on the FAFSA will receive electronic copies of your SAR.
7. If Your FAFSA Is Selected For Verification - (at least 30 percent are selected) If you've been selected, an asterisk (*) will appear after your EFC number. Submit tax returns and other documentation to your school's financial aid office.
8. Compare Award Letters - If you're eligible for aid, schools at which you are accepted will send you an award letter. Carefully compare amounts and types of aid awarded.