Filling out the FAFSA--Portal Opening October 1st!

1. The FAFSA stands for Free Federal Student Financial Aid. Most students who apply will be eligible to receive federal loans, scholarships, grants and be eligible to participate in work-study programs to help families pay for the cost of college. If you are applying to a four-year college or a two-year community college you must fill this form out! ANYONE (no really, anyone) can fill out the FAFSA for FREE. You will need to sit down with your parents or legal guardians and work together to complete this form as it will require tax information. The FAFSA portal opens on October 1, so start filling it out as soon as possible!!!!

Here's a Cheat Sheet to Help You Get Started!!

Filling out the  FAFSA Cheat Sheet For Parents and Students

1.      Create A FSA ID Account

a.  Students and parents that possess a valid Social Security Number must visit (fsaid.ed.gov) to create an FSA ID prior to FAFSA completion.

b.  This is the only site for FSA ID creation.

c.   The parent and student must have two working email accounts to create FSA IDs.

d.  The email addresses cannot be the same for student and parent.

e.  It is recommended that students use a personal email address instead of a high school email as the email could be deactivated after graduation.

f.  Since FSA ID is the student and parent’s electronic signature, it is important that FSA ID information is stored in a secure place for future reference should changes need to be made after FAFSA submission.

2.         Start the FAFSA

a.  The  FAFSA Portal opens on October 1,  and you can access it on (fafsa.gov).

b.  Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible, as some state/federal financial aid grants are first-come, first served. Again, the FAFSA will be completed using the previous year tax information.

c.   Upon FAFSA completion, students will receive an email confirming their FAFSA submission, which will include FAFSA submission date and time. Students should save the confirmation email for their records.

3.      Documentation Needed in order to successfully file the  FAFSA

a.  Student and parent/legal guardian FSA IDs

b.   Federal Tax Return or other income documentation

c.   Social Security number(s)

d.  Driver’s license (if any) 

e.   tax information for student and parent/legal guardian(s)

i.   Most parents/legal guardians/students will upload their  tax information using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool via FAFSA. 

f.    untaxed income records, such as child support received and veterans non-education benefits 

g.  Current information on checking and savings account balances; stock, bond, and other investments; and business and farm assets

h.  Alien registration card (if student is not a U.S. citizen)

4.      Need Assistance filling out the FAFSA

a.  If a student needs assistance while completing the FAFSA, the student can contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center 1-800-433-3243.

b.   Students and parents can also access more information about FAFSA by going to (studentaid.ed.gov)

Important Transcript Information for Seniors!

ALL final transcripts for GA colleges and universities must be sent through gafutures.org. If you sent an initial transcript through gafutures.org when you applied to a college, a final transcript will automatically be sent to that college approximately 2 weeks after graduation. If you did not send an initial transcript to that college, log into gafutures.org, go to the APPLY tab and then to the Application Hub to request a transcript.

If you need a final transcript sent to an out-of-state college, you must email Mrs. Davis (terri.davis@baldwin.k12.ga.us) for that to be mailed. Please note that a $2 transcript fee applies.

**Please also note that final transcripts will not be complete until after graduation and will be sent out approximately 2 weeks after graduation**

To send initial transcript to a school in Georgia:

You MUST submit your transcript through the gafutures.org .

1. Go to www. gafutures.org  

2. Create or sign into your account.

3. Go to “ College Planning”

4. Go to “High School Transcripts”

5. Choose the college you want your transcript to be sent to.

8. Enter #SSN if not already displayed

9. Select High School where final transcript is located? (Baldwin High School)

10. Enter “High School Graduation Year”

11. Press Send!