FAFSA, a U.S. federal and state funding is an available resource for U.S. citizens, permanent resident's and other eligible individuals to fund their post-secondary education. That usually includes loans, grants, and other funding opportunities issued by the U.S. government related to higher education attainment.
FAFSA is the first step to financial aid for college. Before a student can receive a federal grant, state grant, subsidized loan, or work-study, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed. After you have filed your FAFSA, the Department of Education will submit your income information to the colleges you select on the form. The colleges will send you award letters that will specify the total cost of attendance at that institution.
The FAFSA opens on October 1! The sooner you can file your FAFSA, the better. I hope the instructions, checklists, and videos provided below will help you file your FAFSA.
To complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will need:
Your Social Security Number
Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Your federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)
Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
An FSA ID to sign electronically.
If you are a dependent student, then you will also need most of the above information for your parent(s).
Step 1: Apply to the college and/or university you intend to attend. Find out what their school code is. Typically is found on their financial aid website page.
Step 2: Gather your tax returns. This will make completing your FAFSA much easier. Use the IRS data retrieval tool to automatically populate your FAFSA with information from your tax return saving you time, effort and lowering your chances of errors being selected for data verification.
Step 3: Request your FSA ID: If you don't have an FSA ID, please visit StudentAid.gov/fsaid. You'll be required to have a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID – username and password to participate in loan counseling prior to receiving your first disbursement. Entrance counseling is required of all first-time borrowers.
Step 4: Plan ahead! The FAFSA must be received by April 15 to be considered for state aid. Click here to find out what you need to complete the FAFSA
Step 5: Complete your FAFSA: Remember to have everything you need before you fill out the FAFSA. Once you've completed the FAFSA, a Student Aid Report (SAR) will be generated by the U.S. Department of Education and sent over to the institution you have applied for. You can use up to 10 school codes, and they will receive an electronic copy.
Step 6: Learn Before you Borrow Money: The Federal Direct Student Loan Program allows students to borrow money directly from the Federal government to pay for education-related expenses. A Federal Direct Student Loan is not gift aid; the money you borrow will have to be repaid with any interest that has accrued. Borrow only much as you absolutely need.
The FAFSA® will be available on October 1! If you plan to attend college, you should fill out your FAFSA form as soon as possible! Just make sure you don’t make one of these common mistakes: Click Here to Learn More About 11 Common FAFSA Mistakes
Q: Student is a US citizen or eligible non-citizen but parent (s) are not
Students can file the FAFSA
Parent info can still be required but when asked for SSN - enter all ZERO’s
If a parent has SSN for work purposes only, enter ZERO’s
Q: Signatures
Student signs with FAFSA ID
Parent signs by signature page and mailing to he processor
Q: DACA students are not able to complete the FAFSA unless they have an SSN
If your parent does not have a Social Security Number they cannot obtain an FSA ID. You can still file the FAFSA by submitting a signature page after you have entered your information.
Q: Dependency Status
Since 13, been in foster care, was an orphan or a ward of the court --- Students are automatically INDEPENDENT
Legal Guardianship makes student INDEPENDENT
Legal Custody does not equal legal guardianship
Parent’s can’t be legal guardians
Q: What if my parent does not have a Social Security Number?
They cannot obtain an FSA ID. You can still file the FAFSA by submitting a signature page after you have entered your information.
Make sure you don’t make one of these mistakes.
Please review the attached
Q: Dependency Status
Since 13, been in foster care, was an orphan or a ward of the court --- Students are automatically INDEPENDENT
Legal Guardianship makes student INDEPENDENT
Legal Custody does not equal legal guardianship
Parent’s can’t be legal guardians
Make sure you don’t make one of these mistakes.
Selective service registration is required for every male student.
Registration requirement based off of birth certificate
Birth Certificate MALE ✦ Must register regardless of student’s gender identity
Birth Certificate FEMALE ✦ Not required to register regardless of student’s gender identity
Key Definitions
Homeless: lack of fixed, regular and adequate housing
Unaccompanied: not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
Youth: 21 years of age or younger or you are still enrolled in high school when signing the FAFSA
Financial aid offices are required to confirm student’s status via documentation EACH year
Always a tough situation when the parent(s) won’t provide their information for the FAFSA
Options:
Confirm for parent(s) that providing information doesn’t obligate them to pay for college and possibly show the loss of free money for the student
Students can indicate they are unable to provide parent data
Will need to talk to the financial aid office at the college they are planning to attend regarding their situation for the possible professional judgment
Otherwise only eligible for $5,500 unsubsidized federal loan as a freshman
At any FAFSA completion workshop I host here at Ben Davis HS, students and parents turn up with their financial documents in hand, sit down at computers, and fill out the FAFSA form. Expert help from INvested will be available as you go through the FAFSA at your own pace. Learn More...
