Higher Education Access Partner Carol Handlan Higher Education Access Partner 717.514.9038 chandlan@pheaa.org

Don’t mix answers for student and parent information. FAFSA Tips Don’t mix answers for student and parent information. Ensure SSN accuracy. Gender question is optional – answer it! Have federal income tax and other related information as references. If you have yet to file your federal income taxes, you can estimate income information and update/correct later with the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Remember to complete the PA State Grant form from the confirmation page. Don’t delay – know your school deadlines and try to meet them!

Whose Information Goes on the FAFSA? Divorced or separated parents (the parent the student lived with the most over the past 12 months. If equal, then the parent who provided more than 50% of student’s financial support) Stepparents - yes Adoptive parents - yes Foster parents - no Legal guardians - no Anyone else the student is living with - no

Documents Needed to Complete the FAFSA Applicants may need the following items: Social security numbers Drivers license (student only; this information is optional) Federal income tax returns (1040, 1040A or 1040EZ) W-2 forms from all employers Current bank statements (checking and savings) Current business and farm records Records of any stocks, bonds and other investments, including 529 accounts Additional untaxed income tax records may be needed such as: Veteran’s non educational benefits, child support paid/received and workers compensation. Alien registration or permanent resident card (if not a US citizen) **These are also listed on the FAFSA Tipsheet and in the FAFSA Reference Guide.

Special Circumstances Recent Death or Disability Reduced Income Recent Separation or Divorce Contact the school and ask for a special consideration AND Contact State Grant Division at PHEAA

PIN (Personal Identification Number) Sign FAFSA electronically Not required, but speeds processing Website: www.pin.ed.gov BOTH Student and one Parent sign electronically with PIN Do NOT lose it. Write it down and store in a safe place Do NOT share it with anyone Links for PIN are within the FAFSA form too **PIN will be changing to username and password in April/May 2015.

www.fafsa.gov

FAFSA On The Web (FOTW) – Log In Student Section

Renewal or New 2015-2016

Create a PASSWORD to access your data (NOTE: your PIN is your signature, not your password)

Answer “yes” to work-study, even if you’re not sure

MUST list your High School

Drop down boxes will help you find your High School

NEXT: Post Secondary School Selection Add up to 10 schools!

Drop down box helps you find your Post Secondary School

Selected Schools that you may be interested in attending

Housing Selection Change the order of schools

Dependency Questions All “No” answers = Dependent Status (most high school students) “Yes” answers = additional questions to determine Independent Status

Dependent Students must provide Parent Info Note: If unable, it is a Special Circumstance and additional info is required by the school

Parent(s) Information Parent(s) Last Name MUST match SSN info

Don’t miss deadlines if you haven’t filed taxes yet! Filed taxes yet? WILL FILE: It’s OK to estimate tax information

After filing taxes  You will RETURN to FAFSA.gov, Financial Information and use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool Dislocated Worker means: Laid Off or Unemployed

Keep Going! Continue to answer income questions Asset Protection Allowance is calculated

Same questions, including to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool Student tax info… Same questions, including to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool

Some families ask: Why are there so many income questions for my high school student? Answer: A student can be an adult (independent) or have additional income to report Answer as it applies to you! No Asset Protection for Student.

Data Integrity Identifies errors or missing data before you submit!

Sign with your PIN www. pin. ed Sign with your PIN www.pin.ed.gov or link within the FAFSA Student and Parent

Acknowledges PIN signature…

Parent’s PIN Privacy agreements

PIN errors will be addressed

Congratulations. You submitted your FAFSA. Parents with second student Congratulations! You submitted your FAFSA! Parents with second student? Start here EFC and Estimated eligibility are calculated

Confirmation Page Continued IF taxes were estimated, don’t forget to use IRS Data Retrieval Tool after filing.

IRS Data Retrieval Tool

IRS Data Retrieval Tool Verification Change the Tax question to: Already Completed Answer the questions below and the IRS link will be shown if all answers are “NO” Enter parent PIN, click on LINK TO IRS ================================ Follow the prompts to go to the IRS page and transfer the Tax Return information into the FAFSA The transferred information will be displayed. Do not change IRS tax information that has been transferred. Click “Next” after reviewing information IF student filed taxes, repeat steps. Proceed to the SIGN and SUBMIT page – enter PIN’s, agree to privacy terms and SUBMIT the new verified FAFSA information ==================================== An updated SAR will be sent through email and your school choices will receive the verified FAFSA information. IF verified info changes an award package, new information will be sent to the student.

PA State Grant Form

Apply for your PA State Grant from the FAFSA Confirmation Page TRANSFERS FOTW data to the State Grant Application Optional Feature – Start your State Application – Click HERE if you want to apply for Pennsylvania State based financial aid

Online State Grant Application Additional questions needed to determine PA State Grant eligibility enrollment status (full time/part time) value of PA 529 College Savings Program program of study for students in vocational programs employment status Link off the FAFSA Application CONFIRMATION Page Moves you right to the PA Grant Application Missed the link or it wasn’t available? An email is sent to student/parent from PHEAA with a Link to the form OR Go to PHEAA.org, State Grant Program -> and Complete the form/Account Access Help screens are available for all questions

PA State Grant Form online

Online State Grant Application Note: AES is a servicing division of PHEAA – you are in the right place! Just follow the prompts…

All Done….. After mailing! Print & Mail **You MUST print, sign and mail in the Grant Confirmation Page

Check your status Students can view their status on Account Access at PHEAA.org Establish a personal account at PHEAA.org Check emails regularly for any updates

Get your PIN: www.pin.ed.gov File FAFSA for 2015-16 at FAFSA.GOV Things to Remember Get your PIN: www.pin.ed.gov File FAFSA for 2015-16 at FAFSA.GOV Use the IRS Data Retrieval tool after filing taxes Do your FAFSA and State Grant app at the same time Meet your school’s DEADLINES State Grant Deadline for FAFSA, May 1, 2015 School deadlines may be earlier! Research Careers: www.EducationPlanner.org Research COSTS: www.MySmartBorrowing.com

What Happens Next? Student Aid Report or Acknowledgment sent to student (review and make necessary corrections) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined Information is sent to PHEAA. Student must complete State Grant Form (SGF). Can link to this directly from the FAFSA or go to www.pheaa.org Account Access (PHEAA) - create an account at www.pheaa.org to view PA State Grant FAFSA information is sent to schools/colleges listed on the FAFSA.

Financial Aid Award Notification from School Schools/colleges receive your FAFSA information and calculate financial need School cost……………………. $26,000 EFC………………………………- 3,000 Financial need………………… $23,000 Financial Aid Office (FAO) “packages” student based on financial need and available funding (varies from school to school). The Financial Aid Award letter is sent to the student only after the FAFSA is processed and student is accepted for enrollment.

Reviewing the Financial Aid Award (FAA) Letter After reviewing the FAA letter packages, students should be sure they know and understand the following: How much of the financial aid is free money? Which awards are based on need, and which are based on merit? Are there any conditions on the free money; in particular, is there a GPA requirement? Will awards change from year to year? Will institutional awards increase as tuition increases? Will loans be needed? If so, how much?

Making Your Decision Only after you have carefully reviewed all of the FAA letters from the schools that you have been accepted to and you understand the true costs to you and your family, is when you will know what school is truly affordable to you and your family to attend. Know how you will pay for all 2, 4 or 5 years of your program of study NOW not after you are on campus!!

Resources PHEAA.org EducationPlanner.org MySmartBorrowing.com YouCanDealWithIt.com Myfedloan.org PHEAA toll free: 1-800-692-7392 Federal Student Aid Info Center – 1-800-433-3243 www.fafsa.gov www.studentaid.gov – general financial aid info www.studentloans.gov – information on federal loans

Questions? QUESTIONS?

Carol Handlan chandlan@pheaa.org 717.514.9038 Contact Information Carol Handlan Higher Education Access Partner 717.514.9038 chandlan@pheaa.org