FAFSA Questions
What is the FAFSA?
- The FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process for college. The financial information you provide on the FAFSA determines how much and which types of financial aid your family is eligible for. You can fill out the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or obtain the paper version from the SHS Counseling Department. In order to file the FAFSA electronically, you will need a PIN to take the place of your signature. You can apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. Both student and one parent need to have their own PIN to complete the online FAFSA. There is also a FAFSA on the Web Worksheet available in the Guidance Office to make filling out your online FAFSA even easier! Filling out the online FAFSA can be up to 14 days quicker than the paper version!
What information will I need to complete the FAFSA?
- Student’s Social Security Number and parents’ Social Security Numbers
- Student’s driver’s license number
- Student’s Alien Registration Number, if not a U.S. citizen
- Federal tax information for both student and parents. (If you have not yet filed your Federal income tax return, you can still submit your FAFSA but you must provide income and tax information).
- Records of untaxed income, such as Social Security benefits, welfare benefits, and veterans benefits for both student and parents.
- Information on savings, investments, and business and farm assets for both student and parents.
When do I need to complete the FAFSA?
- You can complete the FAFSA anytime after January 1st. To maximize the financial aid available for you, complete the FAFSA before March 1st.
What happens after I complete the FAFSA?
- Once your FAFSA has been filed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), which summarizes the data you reported on the FAFSA. Also on the SAR will be your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is determined by the financial information you provide on the FAFSA.
- The FAFSA office will also send a copy of your SAR to any colleges or universities you listed on your FAFSA. The college or university can then determine what type of financial aid package they can offer you, based on which grants, scholarships, loans and work study programs you are eligible for.
Can I do anything with the FAFSA my junior year?
- Try out the FAFSA Forecaster to get an idea of what your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and financial aid potential might be: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov