The below presentation took place on October 9, 2024 during Parent Teacher Conferences. Since the FAFSA is not open yet, the screenshots are from last year's FAFSA.
26Y FAFSA Presentation - Master.pptxHow to file for Financial Aid:
Each contributor (student and guardians that will be listed on the FAFSA) needs to create separate FSA IDs using separate email accounts. The FSA ID is a username and password that serves as your electronic signature when filing for the FAFSA.
*If parents file taxes as married filed-jointly then only one parent needs an FSA ID.
DO NOT LOSE THIS INFORMATION. You will use your FSA ID every year that you are in college when you apply for your FAFSA.
The student needs to fill out the majority of the FAFSA. There is a parent portion where the parent will fill out their information and tax information. For the Class of 2025, we will be filling out the 2025-2026 FAFSA.
What the student / parent will need prior to filling out the FAFSA:
Student / Parent FSA ID
Student / Parent's Social Security Number
If a student does not have a SSN (even one assigned to the student for work purposes) they are not eligible to complete the FAFSA.
If a parent does not have SSN, the student can still submit a FAFSA.
Student / Parent's Date of Birth
Driver's License Number (if applicable)
Alien Registration Number (if not US Citizen)
Student / Parent 2023 Federal Tax Information or Tax Returns (1040) including W2 Information
Parent Marriage and/or Divorce Separation Date(s)
Records of Untaxed Income (Child Support, Interest Income, Veterans Noneducation Benefits, etc.)
Student / Parent Information on Cash, Savings, and Checking Account Balances, Investments, Real Estate (not including the home you live in), Businesses, Farms, etc.
Also should know if students / parents receive the following:
Supplemental Social Security (SSI)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)
** After filing your FAFSA, the colleges that you added on your FAFSA will mail you a financial aid award letter.
Parkway North Financial Aid Series - 2024.pdf
The Scholarship Foundation has great information on financial aid, various grants, and even interest-free loans. Check them out at the link above!
Applying for Loans
If you are taking out college loans you will have to complete 2 more steps (most colleges will prompt you to complete these 2 things):
The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loans and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loans.
It takes 30 minutes to complete and you have to complete it in one sitting
Please refer to this website for information on what you will need to complete the MPN: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/whatYouNeed.action?page=mpn
All students taking out Direct Subsidized Loans or Direct Unsubsidized Loans will be required to complete entrance counseling.
It takes 20-30 minutes to complete and you have to complete it in one sitting
Please refer to this website for information on what you will need to complete the entrance counseling https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/whatYouNeed.action?page=counseling