Financial Aid (FAFSA)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by virtually all two- and four-year colleges, universities and career schools to determine the eligibility of federal student aid and most state and college aid.

FAFSA is the application used by the U.S. Department of Education to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) by conducting a “need analysis” based on financial information, which you (or your parents) will be asked to provide. The form is submitted, processed, and the results are electronically transmitted to the financial aid offices of the schools that you list on your application.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Nearly every student is eligible for some form of financial aid, including low-interest Federal Stafford and/or parent PLUS loans, regardless of income or circumstances, provided that you:

are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national or an eligible non-citizen;
have a valid Social Security Number;
have a high school diploma or GED;
are registered with the U.S. Selective Service (if you are a male aged 18-25);
complete a FAFSA promising to use any federal aid for educational purposes;
do not owe refunds on any federal student grants;
are not in default on any student loans; and
have not been found guilty of the sale or possession of illegal drugs during a period in which federal aid was being received.

Applying for Aid…FAFSA is step #1

To be considered for federal financial aid, you must complete and submit a FAFSA. Additionally, most states, colleges and universities use the FAFSA to award other types of institutional financial aid, including state- and college-sponsored financial aid, such as grants, educational loans, and work-study programs.

Once you fill out your FAFSA, you will receive your Student Aid Report to see what your financial aid package will look like. Then, you will have a good idea of the grants, student loans and other federal funding options you qualify for.

1. Before beginning a FAFSA, get organized!!

To simplify the application process, gather required documents and other information ahead of time.

Dependency Status Worksheet

The Dependency Status Worksheet helps students determine if they need to provide parental information on the FAFSA.

Select this link to access the 2011-2012 Dependency Status Worksheet

FAFSA on the Web Worksheet

The FAFSA on the Web Worksheet allows you to read and complete the questions before entering your information online. The questions arelisted in the same order that they appear on the Web site.

The worksheet is available in color or in black and white.

Select this link to download or display a 2011-2012 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet in PDF format.

PIN Information

A PIN is a 4-digit number that is used in combination with your Social Security Number, name, and date of birth to identify you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on Federal Student Aid Web sites, such as FAFSA on the Web.

The security of your PIN is important because it can be used to:

Electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents
Access your personal records, and
Make binding legal obligations.

You and your parents (if you are a dependent student) will need to sign your FAFSA. We cannot process your FAFSA until we receive your signature(s). Using a PIN to sign your FAFSA electronically is by far the fastest and most reliable way. However, you can print, sign and mail in a signature page, or provide signature(s) on your paper Student Aid Report (SAR).

Tip: You may use your PIN for the duration of your school experience and beyond. The PIN stays the same. If you or your parents do not already have a PIN, we encourage you to apply for one. You can apply for a PIN while completing a FAFSA on the Web application, or you can go to the Federal Student Aid PIN Web site at www.pin.ed.gov to apply.

Important Note A PIN that is selected or viewed instantly online or is sent to you in an e-mail is considered to be conditional until your information is verified with the Social Security Administration (1-3 days from the date you first apply). You may sign your FAFSA with it, but nothing else. Once we complete this verification, you will be able to use your PIN for other purposes (such as correcting your SAR or accessing other Federal Student Aid Web sites).

Application Deadlines

The FAFSA is the federal application for financial aid, but it is also used to apply for aid from other sources, such as your state or school.

TIP: The deadlines for your state or schools may be different from the federal deadlines and you may be required to complete additional forms.

Check with your high school guidance counselor or a financial aid administrator at your school about state and school sources of student aid.

- Federal Student Financial Aid Deadlines

The 2009-2010 School Year (July 1^st, 2009 – June 30^th, 2010):

FAFSA on the Web applications must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight time, June 30, 2010.
Corrections on the Web forms must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight Time, September 21, 2010.
Note: Your school must have your complete and correct information by your last day of enrollment in the 2009-2010 school year.

The 2010-2011 School Year (July 1^st, 2010 – June 30^th, 2011):

FAFSA on the Web applications must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight time, June 30, 2011.
Corrections on the Web forms must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight time, September 15, 2011.
Note: Your school must have your complete and correct information by your last day of enrollment in the 2010-2011 school year.

Pay close attention to deadlines!Ask your school about their definition of an application deadline – whether it is the receipt date and time or the process date and time of the application.

Federal Student Aid considers a FAFSA’s receipt date and time to be when the FAFSA/correction is submitted successfully.

TIP: When you submit your FAFSA, be sure to print out the confirmation page and keep it for your records. It contains a confirmation number with the exact date and time (Central Standard Time) the form was received. You can also choose to have a copy e-mailed to you if you have provided an e-mail address.

Note: Transactions must be completed and accepted by midnight to meet the deadline. If you wait too long to submit your application and it is rejected, you may miss your school’s deadline.

- State Student Financial Aid Deadlines

State deadlines may be earlier than the federal deadline.

TIP: State forms do not replace filling out the FAFSA. You must fill out the FAFSA to receive federal student aid. Note: Date received means received by Federal Student Aid unless otherwise indicated. Remember to apply early before funds run out. Each state is different so make sure you check with your financial aid administrator regarding your state’s deadline.

2. Fill out the application!

The FAFSA contains questions that ask about you, your financial information, your school plans, and more.

Fill Out Your FAFSA

To receive student financial aid, you need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every school year. FAFSA on the Web allows you to complete and submit your financial aid application electronically.

First Time Applicants:

Review and print the list of Documents Needed to complete the FAFSA.
Print and complete a FAFSA on the Web Worksheet.
You and one of your parents (if you are a dependent student) will have to sign your application. The application process is faster if you use your PIN to sign electronically. If you don’t already have a PIN, you can apply for one within the application.

TIP: A PIN is not required to fill out and submit a FAFSA, but using a PIN is the fastest way to sign your application and the process of obtaining a PIN is easy. Select PIN Information for general information about applying for a PIN. If you are applying for a summer session, check with your school to verify which application you should complete.

Open Your Saved FAFSA or Correction Application
If you have saved a FAFSA or Correction you can retrieve your application using the password you entered when you first started the application. If you cannot remember your password, select forgot my password at the bottom of the next page.

Your saved information is secure and accessible for 45 days unless the federal application/correction deadline date has passed since the application was saved. Saved applications are erased after 45 days or after the federal application/correction deadline date.

Sign Electronically With Your PIN

In order to provide an electronic signature, select the school year of the FAFSA you are signing, followed by whether you are signing as a student or a parent. We will then ask the person providing the signature for his/her identifying information and PIN. Parents will also need to supply information about the student they are signing for.

TIP: Students and parents must submit their electronic signatures separately.

Note: If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your electronic signature, Federal Student Aid has not received it.

If you applied for a PIN and selected or viewed the PIN instantly online or had it sent to you in an e-mail, you must wait 1-3 days from the date you applied before you can use the PIN to sign a FAFSA or correction. This is because we must first verify your information with the Social Security Administration.

3. FAFSA Follow Up -View your results online!

You can check the status of your application, make corrections to a processed FAFSA, and get other information.

Completing the FAFSA
What information do I need to complete a FAFSA?

Your Social Security number and your parents’ numbers, if you’re a dependent student.
2008 W-2 forms and other records of money earned (by you and by your parents, if you’re a dependent student).
Your 2008 Federal Income Tax Return (and that of your spouse, if you’re married).
Your parents’ 2008 Federal Income Tax Return (if you’re a dependent student).
Any foreign tax return or tax return from Puerto Rico.
Your 2008 untaxed income records—examples include IRA deductions, child support, and veterans noneducation benefits.
Your current bank statements, business and investment mortgage information; business and farm records; and stock, bond and other investment records.
Your alien registration number (if you are not a U.S. citizen).

If possible, have the necessary income tax returns finished so you can complete the FAFSA more easily and accurately. If you apply before your tax return has been completed, you’ll have a two step application process.

Step 1—Apply and estimate your income and tax information on your application.
Step 2—Make corrections later if your estimated income or tax information was not accurate.

You cannot receive federal student aid unless all your information is complete and accurate. Read the FAFSA instructions very carefully. Pay close attention to questions on income because most errors occur in that area.

Process for new applicants
To determine your eligibility for federal student aid, you need to complete the FAFSA. You may also need to complete an additional application in order to be considered for financial aid from your state or the school you’re interested in attending.

Can I apply for aid online?
Yes. We encourage you to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Applying online is the fastest and easiest way to apply. Use the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet to write down your information prior to completing the online form. You can print a copy of the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet atwww.fafsa.ed.gov.

Get Started with the FAFSA Application Process