Applying for Federal Financial Aid

Sponsored by: Presented by: Andrea Cross Saint Joseph’s College, ME

3 Agenda u Review federal aid application process u Review federal application questions using the FAFSA on the Web worksheet u Q & A

4 New for ! u More questions to determine independent status u No more worksheets! u Changes to Veterans Benefits question u Added – TEACH, dislocated worker, and parent address u Timeframe for receiving assistance programs moved from 12 to 24 months u Removed – Additional Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, Untaxed Social Security benefits, AFDC/TANF, foreign income exclusion & credit for federal tax on special fuels u 529 Reporting u Incomplete web application notification process

5 Filing Options

6 FAFSA on the Web’s Homepage

7 Before Beginning a FAFSA

8 The PIN Process u Both student and parent (if student is dependent) need PIN u Issued from the FOTW or PIN site

9 PIN Web Site

10 The PIN Process from FOTW u Can request FSA to generate a PIN that will display on the screen in real time, request that it be ed in real-time, or have it sent via postal mail. u Includes a match of name, SSN, and date of birth. If the match is successful, the PIN becomes permanent. If the match is unsuccessful, the applicant is mailed a SAR for signatures and the PIN is disabled.

11 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet u The questions within FAFSA on the Web are presented in a different order than the questions on the paper FAFSA. u The FAFSA on the Web Worksheet presents the questions in relatively the same order as they are presented within FAFSA on the Web. u Students wanting to pre-fill a paper form in preparation for submitting their application online should complete the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet rather than the paper FAFSA.

12 The First Page of FAFSA on the Web

13 The Dependency Questions: Page 1 of 3

14 The Dependency Questions: Page 2 of 3 Displayed only if ‘No’ was answered for all questions on the first dependency questions page.

15 The Dependency Questions: Page 3 of 3 Displayed only if ‘No’ was answered for all questions on the first two dependency question pages.

16 Special Circumstances u FAFSA on the Web has been updated to allow dependent students that are unable to provide parental data to submit their application online u No EFC will be calculated and students will be advised of the consequences of submitting an application without parental data u Students will be advised to follow-up with the financial aid office at the college they plan to attend.

17 Special Circumstances: Page 1 of 3 Displayed only if student is dependent. Student can indicate that they will provide parental information or they can indicate they have a special circumstance.

18 Special Circumstances: Page 2 of 3 Displayed only if a dependent student indicated that they have a special circumstance on page 1.

19 Special Circumstances: Page 3 of 3 Displayed only if a dependent student indicates that they have a special circumstance on page 2. Students must now confirm that they understand their FAFSA will be submitted without calculating an EFC.

20 As of today, are you a dislocated worker?

21 Review of the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet

22 Searching for College Codes

23 ACG Data Screens

24 Signature Process

25 Signature Process – No PIN Provided

26 Confirmation Page

27 What happens next? u The applicant will have access to the Student Aid Report (SAR) once the data is processed. u The link to the SAR will be sent via if an address was provided on the FOTW or a paper SAR will be sent by postal mail if no address was included. u The SAR arrives within days if the FOTW was submitted. If a paper FAFSA is filed it will take considerably longer.

28 The Student Aid Report u Review the report. u Changes can be made on line or by paper. If dependent, parent and student must “sign”. u Add/change schools if needed.

29 Review the Student Aid Report

30 Corrections on the Web

31 Student List Changes In Corrections

32 Application Status Check

33 Refer to the actual forms when possible, e.g., the Social Security Card, the federal tax return or W2. Recheck your responses before submitting your application. Use estimates if tax returns are not completed, but remember to update the figures once the tax information is available. If you need some assistance with the FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at Reminders for Your Participants

34 Preparing For Your CGS Program u Completing the FAFSA” is a publication that you can download for more detail on the FAFSA questions. The version is available right now – check back for the piece. It is usually available at: u You can also practice using the FAFSA at the demonstration site that was available as of December 14, 2008

35 The FAFSA on the Web Demo Site u URL – u User Name –eddemo u Password –fafsatest u Availability – FAFSA on the Web is available now – FAFSA on the Web will be available beginning December 14, 2008

36 More Questions? Marcia E. Weston Director of Operations College Goal Sunday YMCA of the USA 501 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC (336) (336) (fax)