Applying for Financial Aid

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Applying for Financial Aid

• Step-by-step instructions on completing the FAFSA

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To be eligible for federal student aid, you must

• Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen, with a
  valid Social Security number.
• Have a high school diploma, a GED, home school
  credential, or pass an approved ability to
  benefit test.
• Enroll as a regular student in an eligible degree
  or certificate program.
• Register for the Selective Service.

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Documents you will need to complete the FASFA

• Social Security number.
• Drivers license.
• W-2 forms and other records of money earned.
• IRS form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040 Telefile,
  foreign tax return.
• Current bank statements.

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Documents needed for FASFA (cont.)

• Untaxed income records Social Security,
  Temporary Assistance to needy families, welfare
  or veterans benefit records.
• Current business and investment mortgage
  information.
• Business and farm records.
• Records of stocks, bonds, and other investments.

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When filling out the FASFA form

• Use black ink only.
• Amounts rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
• Dates July 2, 2004 07-02-04.
• Print clearly in CAPITAL LETTERS and skip space
  between words.
• Fill in ovals completely
• Leave blanks only when directed.

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However, best to do FAFSA online.

• Apply free online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

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Problems? FAFSA Hotline

• For questions on the application or eligibility
  requirements, call
• 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
• www.studentaid.ed.gov

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FAFSA on the Web

• FAFSA electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Processed MUCH more quickly than the paper
  version.
• Use the paper FAFSA to prepare for the web
  version.
• Print and complete the Pre-Application Worksheet
  at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

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When to apply

• No earlier than senior year.
• Filing period is January 1 to March 2. However,
  should file in January.
• Some schools have priority deadlines.
• You do not have to be admitted to a college in
  order to file FAFSA.

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Apply for a PIN Number

• Apply in the Fall at www.pin.ed.gov
• Dependent students must have one parent apply for
  a pin number.
• Pin numbers must be activated by selecting the
  Activate My Pin link and following the
  directions. Both students and parents must do
  this and they can do it NOW.
• PINS should be kept confidential.

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PINS for Signature

• Parent and student both
• Must have name, SSN, DOB, and e-mail
• Parent student may use same e-mail
• If parent does not have SSN
• Does not make student ineligible
• Student may and parent will sign hard copy

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PIN Notification

• Will arrive in e-mail within 72 hours
• Will come from cpsnotify
• Spam or virus blocker may block message
• -Temporarily stop auto dump and/or check junk
  or trash files before auto dump.
• Message will refer to a URL
• Click and be prepared to print or write number
• May not enter the web site a second time

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FAFSA Signature

• Use PIN to electronically sign the FAFSA
• If student or parent has no PIN, they can print,
  sign, and mail the signature page.
• If no PIN or printer they will receive a SAR
  without an EFC and they must sign and return
  before EFC will be calculated.
• Students can use PIN and parents can mail.

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TIPS

• Avoid peak hours. Faster response times before 8
  a. m. and after 8 p. m.
• Follow status of FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov using
  their PIN.
• Check e-mail regularly and look for messages from
  the U.S. Department of Education.

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FAFSA STEP ONE Question 1 - 8

• Name written exactly as on SS card. No nicknames.
  Must match school records.
• Permanent mailing address.
• 8 Social Security number will be matched with
  Social Security Administration.
• Naturalized citizens Make sure SSA has your
  naturalization on file.

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STEP ONE (cont.)Questions 9 - 13

• 9-12 Enter date of birth, phone number, and
  drivers license number (if any) and state.
• 13 Student e-mail address
• - You will receive your FAFSA information
  through a secure link on the Internet, sent to
  the e-mail address provided.
• - Make sure your e-mail address does not
  change. Read your e-mail every day.

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STEP ONE (cont.) Questions 14 - 15
Citizenship Status

• If (a) US Citizen, status will be confirmed by
  SSA match.
• If (b) eligible non-citizen, student must
  provide the Alien Registration Number (ARN).
• If (c) not a citizen or eligible non-citizen,
  student will not qualify for any type of aid.

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Step One (cont.) ( c ) Undocumented Students

• If student is undocumented, contact MALDEF,
  Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, for advice
  and assistance.
• [phone] or www.maldef.org

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STEP ONE (cont.) Questions 16 to 20

• 16-17 Marital Status
• - marital status as of the date you sign the
  FAFSA
• 18 - 20 State of legal residence
• - Where student lives
• - Note date of 19

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STEP ONE (cont.) Questions 21 - 22

• Male students between the ages of 18 25 can
  automatically register for Selective Service by
  filling in the Yes oval.
• Most male students must register with the
  Selective Service to receive federal student aid.

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STEP ONE (CONT.) Questions 23 - 24

• 23 College Degree/Certificate
• - Choose the description that best fits the
  first degree objective described on page 6. --
  Most will be filling in 1 for 1st Bachelors
  degree .
• 24 Grade Level
• - Choose description from page 6.
• - Most use 0 for never attended college 1st
  year undergraduate.

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STEP ONE (cont.) Questions 25 - 26

• 25 Enrollment Status for 2007-08
• Enter 1 for full-time
• - 26 Interest in Types of Aid
• - Indicating interest in either work-study or
  student loans does not obligate the student to
  borrow or work, nor will it cause the loss of
  grants and scholarships. Use number 3.

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STEP ONE (cont.) Questions 27 - 28

• 27 High School Diploma or GED?
• - Requirement to receive federal and state aid.
• - Home schooling may fulfill requirements.
• 28 First Bachelors Degree?
• - If high school senior, the answer is NO

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STEP ONE (cont.) Questions 29 - 31

• 29 30 Parents Education
• - Indicate parents highest level of completed
  education. Use biological or adoptive parents
  and less is more.
• DO NOT use stepparents, legal guardians or foster
  parents.
• 31 Have you ever been convicted of possessing
  or selling illegal drugs?
• -Financial aid not awarded if left blank.
• - ONLY pertains if convicted while receiving
  federal financial aid.

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Step Two Questions 32 - 45 Student income
and Asset information

• Student income and assets must be completed if
  student worked, even if part-time. Earned over
  3000.00 must file taxes.
• Student should estimate using last paycheck
  stubs. Later can correct on SAR using IRS forms.
• Student must answer questions of Worksheets A, B,
  and C. May use paycheck stubs and/or IRS forms.

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Please note for question 43

• Students cash, savings, and checking accounts
  should reflect amount in accounts and pockets on
  the date of signing FAFSA.
• Amount should be as little as possible and 0 is
  best. Parents should be encouraged to save under
  their own names not students.

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STEP TWO (CONT.) Questions 46 to 47 Veterans
Eligible Benefits

• If eligible for veterans education benefits
  student must report his/her expected monthly
  benefit.
• For more information of Veterans Benefits,
  contact
• 800 827-1000
• www.va.gov

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STEP THREE Questions 48 - 55 Dependency Status

• If student answers Yes to any question in this
  step, skip Step Four and go on to STEP FIVE.
• NO to every question means that student is a
  Dependent student.
• YES to any question means that student is
  considered an Independent student.

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What is a Parent(for financial aid purposes)?

• Considered a Parent
• -Biological parent(s)
• -Adoptive parent(s)
• -Stepparent
• -Common-law marriage that is recognized by the
  state

• Not considered Parent
• -Foster parent(s)
• -Legal guardian(s)
• -Grandparents

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Dependent vs. Independent Student Classifications

• Dependent Students
• - The student must have contact with his/her
  biological parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent.

• Independent Student
• -The student must be an orphan or ward of the
  court. (until age 18)
• -The student is 24 or older.
• - If independent, student needs to contact the
  college to obtain a dependency over-ride as soon
  as possible.

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STEP FOUR Questions 56 - 86

• 56-57 Parent(s) Marital Status
• -Enter the status as of the date the FAFSA
  application is signed.
• 58 -61
• - Fathers or stepfathers SSN and last name and
  date of birth.
• 62 - 65
• - Mothers or Stepmothers SSN and last name

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STEP FOUR (Cont.)Parent Financial Information

• Financial information must be for the parent(s)
  who are completing the FAFSA.
• If no SSN of parent(s) provided the FAFSA will be
  rejected.
• - Enter SSN as 000-00-0000 if parent lives in
  a different country or does not have a SSN.

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STEP FOUR (CONT.) Parent Financial Information

• If parents are divorced or separated
• - Provide information of the parent the student
  lived with most over the last 12 months.
• - Count the step-parents income if remarried.

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STEP FOUR (cont.) Question 66 Number in
Parents Household

• Include in your parents household
• Your parents and yourself, even if you dont live
  with your parents.
• Your parents other children
• Other people if they live in home and parents
  provide more than half of the persons financial
  support.
• Example grandmother, aunts, uncles,
  brother-in-law, etc.

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STEP FOUR (cont.)Questions 67 - 69

• 67 Number in College
• - The number in the household who will be
  college students.
• - Include the student applicant
• - Do not include parent(s).
• 68 - 70 Parents legal residence
• - Enter parents state of legal residence.

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STEP FOUR (cont.)Questions 71 - 89 Parent
income and assets

• Must provide if parent(s) worked.
• Parents may estimate using last pay stubs of the
  year and comparing them to prior year tax returns
  (1040). Parents will use IRS 1040s to correct on
  SAR.
• Parents need to answer questions on Worksheets A,
  B, and, C. Estimate and use tax returns to
  correct on SAR.

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Questions 71-75

• 71 Supplemental Security Income
• 72 Food Stamps
• 73 Free or Reduced Price Lunch
• 74 TANF
• 75 WIC

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Questions 76 - 78

• 76 May estimate taxes using W-2 forms and past
  1040s. B
• 77 Use past tax filing to determine what form
  family uses.
• 78 See notes page 6. Eligible to file a 1040a
  or 1040ez if makes less than 100,000.

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Questions 79-89

• If the answer is zero or the question does not
  apply, enter O.

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STEP FIVE(for independent students only)

• 90 - Answer this question only if student was
  not required to report parental information.
• Independent student answers this question.
• Include student and spouse.
• Students children
• Other people if they live with the student and if
  the student is currently providing more than half
  of their support.

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STEP FIVE (for independent students only)

• 91 Student number in college.
• - Write in the number of people from 84 who
  will be college students.

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Questions 92-96

• In 2006 did STUDENT or spouse receive and
  benefits from Federal Programs listed.
• 92 - Supplemental Security Income
• 93 Food Stamps
• 94 Free or Reduced Lunch
• 95 TANF
• 96 - WIC

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STEP SIXQuestions 97 98 Colleges you wish
to send the information

• 97 - List up to 4 colleges on paper and 6
  online. Include at least one California college.
• Codes available on-line and in Guidance Office.
• 97 - Select housing plan that is best for
  student needs. Note Most expensive
• Enrollment Status
• - If not sure, report full time. (always report
  full time)

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STEP SEVENQuestions 98 - 99 Date and Sign

• If filing electronically, do not forget the
  signature page or e-signature (PIN).
• If completed by a dependent student, the student
  and one parent must sign.
• If filed by an independent student, only the
  student must sign.

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More FAFSA Filing Tips

• Make a copy of the completed FAFSA and supporting
  documents.
• If mailing obtain a Certificate of Mailing from
  the Post Office. .95 cents.
• Sign and date the form or use PIN to sign
  electronically
• Check for completeness.
• MEET ALL DEADLINES.

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What happens after you apply?

• The FAFSA processor sends a Student Aid Report
  (SAR) to the student.
• The processor sends a SAR to the colleges you
  specified in 97 .
• Colleges use the information from the SAR to
  award financial aid in the form of grants, loans,
  scholarships, and work-study.
• Colleges send students preliminary or official
  financial aid offer letters.

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SAR (Student Aid Report)Federal Notification

• Response within a week
• Will be mailed if no e-mail address
• Will come from cpsnotify if e-mail address
  submitted.
• Same concerns about spam and virus blockers.
• SAR notification sent by e-mail if
• Submitted on paper and included e-mail address.
• Submitted on-line with e-mail.

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What to do when Notified?

• SAR information on mini-web site using FAFSA
  password to enter site.
• When notified, access it and READ it
• All submitted information will appear
• Page retained for about 45 days
• May be printed

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What to do when Notified? (cont.)

• EFC in upper right hand corner
• - If no numbers (blank), need more information
• - If numbers it has been calculated
• - If all zeros, family not expected to
  contribute.
• - If then prepare to prove income and all
  information provided. 1/3 of all students.

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How to Correct Information

• You need to submit more information if
• Message is printed in red, and/or certain fields
  are marked for change.
• Click in marked areas and
• Return to data entry page
• Correct and/or enter data
• Generally both parent student must re-sign
  either by using PINS or signing a signature page
  and mailing.

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Other Federal Notification

• ISIR Institutional Student Information
• Report sent to
• - Colleges listed on FAFSA
• - CSAC (CAL Grant)
• - Other states agencies

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CAL Grant Process and Notification

• CSAC (California Student Aid Commission)
• - Processes data on ISIR
• - Compares to GPA verification
• - Determines eligibility for CAL Grants
• - CAR California Aid Report
• - mailed to students in 3 to 4 weeks

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Awarding and Packaging

• Award letters sent by college
• List awards, amounts and sources
• Shows COA and EFC
• Period of enrollment covered
• Responses may or may not be required
• Students must read carefully