www.fafsa.ed.gov

Beware of www.fafsa.com

Seven Steps for Filing the FAFSA Step One: Student Demographics Name, social security number, birth date, email address, gender Males MUST enroll in Selective Service in order to receive financial aid (For more information go to: www.ss.gov) Step Two: School Selection Enter FAFSA codes for colleges applied to – up to 10 Indicate housing status

Seven Steps for Filing the FAFSA Step Three: Dependency Status A student is generally dependent if under age 24: A Student is independent in 2012/2013 if: He/she is an orphan, foster youth, or ward/dependant of the court (or has been one of the three statues since turning 13 yrs old. Married or separated but not divorced A graduate or PhD student Serving in the U.S. military or a veteran Supporting children or other dependents Has a court appointed legal guardian Has been determined homeless or at risk of being homeless

Seven Steps for Filing the FAFSA An independent status means that parent income is not needed. If a student is of none of the aforementioned statuses, his/her absolute inability to have contact with his/her biological parent will be considered on a case-by-case basis by his/her institution.

Seven Steps for Filing the FAFSA Step Four: Parent Demographics Name, social security numbers, birth dates Marital status If your parent does not have an SSN, enter 0’s or 9’s Who count as a parent on the FAFSA? Biological/adoptive parent Foster parents, legal guardians, and other relatives are never counted as parents on the FAFSA

Seven Steps for Filing the FAFSA Step Five: Financial Information Use 2011 Tax returns (use 2010 if 2011 is not yet available) If you have not filed, select “Will file” IRS retrieval option: allows students and parent to link tax information to FAFSA and can be used for initial application and corrections. Advantages of using IRS retrieval option: Accuracy Timeliness Does not need additional verification by each college

Seven Steps for Filing the FAFSA

Seven Steps for Filing the FAFSA

Seven Steps for Filing the FAFSA

Seven Steps for Filing the FAFSA

Seven Steps for Filing the FAFSA Step Six: Sign and Submit Sign electronically with PIN Print signature page Process now without signature Step Seven: Confirmation Please read the entire confirmation page. On the confirmation page of the FAFSA, you will find: the link to the TAP application. The Pell grant and direct loan estimate The expected family contribution

Seven Steps for Filing the FAFSA