FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid

2019 – 2020 FAFSA If you are attending college from: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 Time frame to file: October 1, 2018 – June 30, 2020 Tax Information Required: 2017 Tax Return www.fafsa.gov

General Eligibility U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen. Valid Social Security number High school diploma or equivalent Be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program at a college or university This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Qualifications Complete the FAFSA® Comply with verification requirements if the student’s FAFSA is selected for verification by the college or university the student plans to attend or the federal government. Demonstrate financial need the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Grad PLUS Loan, and Parent PLUS loan do not depend on financial need. Sign a Statement of Educational Purpose certifying that he or she will use Title IV federal student aid to pay for education costs only Male students must register with the Selective Service Male students between the ages of 18 and 25 may check a box on the FAFSA to register with Selective Service.

2019-2020 Tutorial: The FAFSA in 7 Easy Steps Follow these steps: 1. Setting Up Your Account 2. Student Demographics 3. School Selection 4. Dependency Status 5. Your Parent’s Information 6. Student and Parent Financial Information 7. Sign and Submit

But first…create a Federal Student Aid ID Step #1: Setting Up Your Account Three options to file FAFSA: 1. Online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov 2. Mobile app – myStudentAid (iTunes, Google Play) 3. Paper FAFSA (https://fafsa.ed.gov/options.htm) But first…create a Federal Student Aid ID

FSA ID https://fsaid.ed.gov/ Student and parents need their own FSA ID FSA ID associated with the Social Security Number of the account holder FSA ID allows you to electronically sign your FAFSA

Step #2: Student Demographics Student Information Application belongs to the student, “you” and “your” refer to the student MAKE SURE YOU NAME MATCHES EXACTLY TO SOCIAL SECURITY CARD Social Security Number Required, application will not be processed without a Social Security Number

Step #3: School Selection Can list up to 10 school can only list 4 on paper application You do not need to know exactly where you are going yet You can edit the schools later You can list a school you have not applied to yet Your school list is not shared with other schools

Step #4: Dependency Status Dependent vs. Independent FAFSA will ask a series of questions to determine status for FAFSA If none apply = dependent If any apply = independent *note: dependency status for FAFSA is not the same as being a dependent on your parents taxes (classifications are separate and not related at all) Born before 1/1/1996 Married Working on a Master’s or Doctorate Degree Have children who receive more then half of their support from you Active duty or veteran -- U.S. Armed Forces Both parents deceased, in foster care, or ward of the court Emancipated minor Have a legal guardian, determined by the court Homeless/unaccompanied youth, determined by the court

Dependent Student with Unusual Circumstances Student may be able to request a dependency override to receive independent student status. Unusual circumstances are discretionary and granted on a case-by-case basis. Some examples of unusual circumstances can include: Death of a parent Incarceration or institutionalization of both parents Parental drug use Parental mental incapacity Parent whereabouts unknown Student voluntary and involuntary removal from parents' home due to abuse that threatens student's safety and/or health Student abandonment by parents

Cannot Provide Parental Information If your parent refuses to provide parental information, and you do not have an unusual circumstance, you still have some options. You can choose to apply for Unsubsidized Loan Only federal financial aid You will need to contact your financial aid office about your options for a Professional Judgement for your situation

Step #5: Your Parent's Information With so many living situations, figuring out who is considered a parent or which parent’s information to use on the FAFSA can be confusing. Call and explain YOUR situation: FAFSA Help Line 1-800-433-3243 studentaidhelp.ed.gov

Step #6: Student and Parent Financial Information 2017 tax filing (2017 W-2 Forms) for the 2019-2020 FAFSA The questions ask for the student applicant’s information. If the question is asking for the parent’s information, it will be identified within the question

**must have filed your 2017 taxes** IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) allows students and Parents to import financial information directly from the IRS **must have filed your 2017 taxes** Taxpayer requirements for using the IRS DRT: Valid social security number FSA ID and password Cannot use IRS DRT: File as married filing separately or Head of Household Marital status of "Unmarried and both legal parents living together" Change in marital status before the end of the tax year Different home address on the FAFSA and federal tax return Foreign income tax return instead of or in addition to the U.S. federal income tax return Puerto Rican tax returns

Have not filed 2017 Tax Return If you “Will file”: will be asked what type of tax return you plan to file then will be asked to input your estimated income there is an Income Estimator available to help If “Not going to file”: this may affect your ability to receive need-based aid you will need to report earnings (wages, salaries, tips, etc.) Please note, if student and/or parent choose this option and your income is above the IRS tax- filing threshold, your FAFSA will be selected for verification 2017 Filing Requirements for Independent Taxpayers If your filing status is... And at the end of 2017 you were... Then you must file a return if your gross income was at least... Single under 65 $10,400 65 or older $11,950 Married filing jointly under 65 (both spouses) $20,800 65 or older (one spouse) $22,050

Step #7: Sign and Submit Review FAFSA Summary Signature – options: If there are any mistakes, correct them! Signature – options: Sign electronically using your FSA ID (fastest and recommended way) Print a signature page (you will need to print and mail in your signature) Submit without signatures (you can submit your FAFSA now without your signature, but you will need return later to sign) Dependent students need parent(s) to sign Same options as above Electronic Signature Parents need to use their own FSA ID, they cannot use the student’s By signing the FAFSA, the individual providing their signature certifies that all of the information on the form is correct and that they are willing to provide documentation during the verification process to prove that the information is correct

2019-20 Completing the FAFSA Form This form gives explanations for each question that is asked on the FAFSA https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/2019-20-completing-fafsa.pdf

Undocumented Students / Parents Undocumented Students Undocumented students cannot legally receive any federally funded student financial aid, including loans, grants, scholarships or work-study money In most states, they are not eligible for state financial aid Private institutions set their own financial aid policies Undocumented Parents Student that are legal U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible noncitizen are eligible for federally funded student financial aid It does not matter if the student’s parents are undocumented, under-documented, or foreign citizens.

CSS Profile® Used by nearly 400 colleges, universities, professional schools, and scholarship programs to award more than $9 billion in grants If a school uses the CSS Profile, it will be listed on the school’s application and/or website Available on October 1 each year

Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) aka – Bright Futures Application October 1st of Senior year -- August 31 after high school graduation If a student does not apply for the scholarship by the deadline, a student cannot receive the scholarship The FFAA allows students to apply to all of the programs listed below: José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund – April 1 Rosewood Family Scholarship Program – April 1 Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans – April 1 www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org

School District of Lee County 2018 Financial Aid Nights (see flyer for details)