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- About the FAFSA: Topics
About the FAFSA
The FAFSA and renewal FAFSA are the application forms that
need to be completed each year. Unless a student applies for
aid using the FAFSA, financial aid professionals cannot determine
a student's need or possible eligibility.
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When to fill out FAFSA
It is very important to complete the FAFSA accurately and
on time -- as soon after January 1st of each year as possible,
but not before.
Different institutions vary in their treatment of late
applications. However, generally speaking, the later a student
applies, the more likely that gift aid (grants and scholarship)
will not be available, and that the student may have loans
as a greater share of the financial aid package.
Occasionally students do not realize they must reapply
each year, and they miss financial aid opportunities. The
reason students must reapply is that financial circumstances,
family size, and other things may change year to year.
The following link gives information on when to file the
FAFSA, but students must check with their colleges to find
the specific deadlines that may affect them: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
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How to fill out the FAFSA
The following site by the Education Assistance Corporation
gives detailed information on completion of the FAFSA:
https://www2.eaceasci.org/htmlframe.jsp?filename=/borrower/payforcoll.shtml#completeFAFSA.
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Tips for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA)
The following list of tips is meant to make the application
process easier for you and your parents. The most important
thing to remember is that help is available by calling
1-800-4FedAid M-F between 8 am and 8 pm EST. If you have
additional questions about this application or about financial
aid in general, your local financial aid office can assist
you.
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You may apply by paper
or over the internet. If you’d like to apply over
the internet, it is recommended you and your parents first
request a PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov
and then apply electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Paper applications are available at most high schools
and colleges, or by calling 800-4FedAid. If you’re
hearing impaired, call TTY 1-800-730-8913.
Since FAFSAs are available each academic year, there may
be two FAFSAs active at the time you are applying. Make
sure you’re applying for the correct school year.
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Make sure you know your
school’s deadline. Deadlines are extremely important
at some schools, because some aid is based on applying
before the deadline. If you’re unsure of your school’s
deadline, be sure to contact them. (You can never apply
before January 1st of that school year.)
- • Your parents will need to provide their information
and sign the FAFSA unless you meet one of the following
criteria: are at least 24 years of age, have a bachelor’s
degree, are married, are an orphan or ward of the court,
have children or dependents whom you provide more than
one-half support, and/or are a veteran or active duty military.
(See the FAFSA instructions for further details.)
- You will need about 2-3 hours to fill out the
FAFSA plus the following items: FAFSA form (you may want
to have more than one on hand just in case), a black pen
or #2 pencil, your drivers license and social security
card, your tax return and W-2 from the previous year, current
bank statements, business and farm records, and records
of any investments that you have. (If your parents are
required to fill out their information, you’ll need
all of their documents as well.) If you or your parents
do not have all the records or have not filed your tax
returns by the time you apply, you may use an estimate
and update it with the correct figures later. You’ll
also need the school codes of the schools you wish to attend. For
a list of school codes go to www.finaid.org/fafsa/tiv.phtml.
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The instructions should
lead you through all the questions. Don’t leave
blanks unless the instructions specify or the question
does not apply. Leaving blanks could result in delay of
processing.
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If you or your family
have unusual circumstances not addressed on the application
(such as loss of employment or major medical expenses),
contact your financial aid office.
- Make a copy of your paper application and send the original
to the appropriate address. Or if you applied online, print
a copy. Don’t forget to sign and date your application!
- You should receive a Student Aid Report in the mail within
4 weeks. When this arrives, you may update any items from
your original FAFSA. If you don’t receive a Student
Aid Report, call 1-800-4FedAid.
Don’t forget that help is available! If you need
help, please don’t hesitate to ask.
(You can also download these tips in a PDF
file or a Word
file.)
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Links to FAFSA
Go to the U.S. Department of Education and review the FAFSA
on the web at www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students/apply/express.html.
The preceding site has instructions on how to obtain a
PIN (personal identification number) in order to file both
the FAFSA (and make corrections to it), and the renewal
FAFSA.
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(See also – Glossary
for FAFSA information and additional links.)
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