FAFSA

FAFSA 

Financial Aid Night Presentation, click here  

What is the FAFSA?

• • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid

  • The FAFSA qualifies students for federal and state financial aid and grants 

  • ALL students should complete the FAFSA, even if they believe they won't qualify for financial aid

  • Students can complete the FAFSA beginning October 1st

  • FAFSA website, click here 

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Guide to completing the FAFSA:!! 

Step 1:

Apply and receive admission to the university you would like to attend.

Step 2:

You may apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov. Once you apply for a PIN, you can choose one of the following:

• Select your own PIN (this option only appears when you apply for a new PIN or request to change your PIN).

• Instantly view your PIN online.

• Receive an e-mail with the PIN immediately. This e-mail will contain a link to our secure PIN delivery Web site where you will be able to input your personal data and retrieve your PIN online.

• For security purposes, this link will be available for only 14 calendar days. If you do not retrieve your PIN within 14 days, it will be mailed to you at the address you provided.

• Have your PIN sent by postal mail within 7-10 days.

• With your PIN, you may access your FAFSA, sign your FAFSA electronically, or sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN) electronically.

Step 3:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application will determine the type(s) of federal aid for which you are eligible. To complete the FAFSA, you will need the Title IV code for each school you list on the application. You can obtain each school’s Title IV code at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/FSLookupServlet.

Your financial need will be determined by the college/university. The financial aid office calculates your need by subtracting your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Cost of Attendance (COA). Information from the FAFSA helps determine your EFC. Your EFC will be the same at any college you plan to attend. The COA, however, varies and will usually include the following: tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and personal and other miscellaneous expenses.

Once your FAFSA has been processed, your college/university will notify you of the type and the amount of financial aid that you may be eligible to receive.

Step 4:

You will receive a Student Aid Report and your school will receive an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR).

If you filed the FAFSA, prior to March 1, you will:

• Receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in six to eight weeks (correct and return, if necessary)

• Receive a financial aid package from the college of your choice around May 1.

Frequently Asked Questions about Financial Aid

When can I apply?

If you are a senior in high school, you can begin filling out your FAFSA after January 1. Priority is given to early filers and some forms of financial aid are on a first come, first serve basis.

Where do I find the FAFSA?

You can locate and complete your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Doing your application online minimizes errors and automatically skips questions not relevant to you. You don’t have to be intimidated by all of the information that is requested. The FAFSA is easy to complete and in most cases takes very little time. For assistance filling out the FAFSA, click the “Before Beginning the FAFSA” link on the FAFSA website or see your school counselor.

How do I apply for financial aid?

There is a standard procedure your family must follow to apply for financial aid. Notice that this process starts in early January and continues until late August. This process is separate from applying for admission to a college. It may seem complex, but if you it take one step at a time, it will be easy.

Where can I go for help?

The financial aid office at the college that interests you or your school counselor can help you. They can tell you what forms to fill out and the steps to follow to get all the financial aid available to you. Follow their instructions carefully. Filling out a form incorrectly or turning it in late could cause you to lose money.

The Forms:

To apply for financial aid you will need to complete: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must file this form to be eligible for federal and state aid. You send the FAFSA to the Federal Student Aid Processing Center.

Institutional aid forms: Some colleges require their own forms. After completing these forms, you return them to your college’s financial aid office. Be sure to check with each college you are applying to about financial aid forms and application deadlines.

Supplemental application forms: One common type of supplemental application is the CSS Profile. This form is required by a small number of Indiana colleges.

When do I file the FAFSA?

The Priority Deadline date for the FAFSA is March 1. Be sure to apply as soon as possible after January 1 of your senior year (or the year when you plan to enroll in a college, university, or other school). You can apply for financial aid after March 1, but you will not be considered for State of Indiana financial aid programs.

We don’t have our tax forms completed yet; should we wait to file the FAFSA until we do?

Completed 1040s make completing the FAFSA easier, but it is not essential that your 1040 be completed. You are allowed to use estimated information on the FAFSA. If you use estimated information, you will be asked to verify that information later. To ensure you meet the March 1 filing deadline for Indiana, use either estimated or completed 1040 tax information.

Who completes the FAFSA?

The student applicant and the parent(s) with whom the student lives fill out the FAFSA.

What if my parents are divorced, separated, or have remarried?

If your parents are divorced or separated, you and the parent you live with fill out the FAFSA. If you also live with a stepparent, his or her information must be included on the FAFSA.

What should I do after completing my forms?

Make photocopies of the forms to keep for your files. When you mail your financial aid application form, be certain to get a certificate of mailing from the post office. This certificate verifies the mailing date and destination of your form.

What other forms of financial aid are available, besides Federal and State Aid?

Possible additional sources of financial aid include your planned college/post-secondary institution, those announced and posted in the Elkhart High School East Counseling Office, corporations where parents are employed, ROTC, MROTC, churches, professional associations, and more!

What are the different types of financial aid? 

Grants & Scholarships: These awards do not need to be paid back and are often called “gift aid.” Grants & scholarships may be based on financial need or on a student’s merit or special talents.

Student Employment: This is money for which students work as part of their financial aid. College work-study is an example of this.

Loans: Loans are money that you borrow for your education and are considered a type of financial aid. You will pay back your loan with interest.