Financial Aid
FAFSA INFORMATION
https://fafsa.ed.gov/
https://fafsa.ed.gov/
What is the FAFSA? The FAFSA will be your single most important resource for financial aid to continue your education. Almost all colleges, universities and other post-secondary education institutions require that you complete the FAFSA in order to offer you financial help. You will fill it out each year you are attending post-secondary education.
Who can apply for FAFSA? Any graduating senior entering a post-secondary educational program in the advancing Fall and/or Spring semesters after completion of the senior year in high school who is a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen (you must have an alien registration number, I94 or green card).
How does it work? Once you complete the form on-line and submit it for review, the Federal government will determine how much aid they will provide based on your (if you worked) and your parents' or guardians' income.
How much $ money will I get? The amount of $$ award depends on family’s income, cost of attendance, etc.
What types of aid will I get? Federal financial aid is generally offered in the following forms:
- Grants-Money that you do not have to pay back, including the Pell grant that can be up to $5500 per year.
- Work Study-Job opportunities on campus in which you will receive a paycheck that is funded by the government.
- Student Loans-Various student loans, money that you do have to pay back. There are different types of loans, please research the type of loan being offered and re-payment terms before you accept loan.
How will I know what I receive? After you submit your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) which is a confirmation of the information that you submitted. You will also receive an offer of financial aid from the schools that you have been accepted to. You should review the Financial Aid offers thoroughly before you make your decision.
What if I do not live with my parents? Your parents information is required until you are 23 years old (there are a few exceptions), see your counselor if you have questions
What if I do not live with my parents? Your parents information is required until you are 23 years old (there are a few exceptions), see your counselor if you have questions
What to bring to complete FAFSA?
1. Student’s Social Security Number (can be found on Social Security card).
2. Parents and/or Step-Parent’s Information:
1. Parents and/or Step-Parent’s Social Security Number
2. Parents and/or Step-Parent’s Dates of Birth
3. Parents and/or Step-Parent’s marital status and date of marital status
3. Student’s FSA ID. Go to https:fsaid.ed.gov to create FSA ID. Make sure to use a different email address than parent. The FSA ID is how you will electronically sign your FAFSA form.
4. Parent FSA ID if dependent. Go to https:fsaid.ed.gov to create FSA ID. Make sure to use a different email address than student. The FSA ID is how you will electronically sign your FAFSA form.
5. Student’s 2015 federal tax return (may be retrieved electronically in the FAFSA using the Data Retrieval Tool; however, bring a copy just in case.)
6. Parents and/or Step-Parent’s 2015 federal tax return (may be retrieved electronically in the FAFSA using the Data Retrieval Tool; however, bring a copy just in case.)
7. If student or Parents and/or Step-Parent were not required to file a federal tax return, W-2 Forms for 2015 or other records of money earned.
8. You will also need to provide the following information in the FAFSA form for the Student, and Parents and/or Step-Parent:
1. Balance in cash, checking, or savings accounts
2. Amount of assets (do not include value of family home or family farm) (if applicable)
3. Value of business (if applicable)