1. Presented by: Emily Valk Financial Aid Counselor Occidental College
FAFSA
Presented by:
Emily Valk
Financial Aid Counselor
Occidental College

2. Sources of Financial Aid
Federal government
State government
Colleges & universities
Private agencies, companies, foundations, and parents’ employers

3. Types of Financial Aid
Gift Aid – Grant & scholarship money that does not need to be repaid
Work – Money earned by the student as payment for a job on or off campus
Loans – Borrowed money to be paid back, usually with interest

4. Cal Grants
Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards – for students with a GPA of at least 3.0, family income and assets below the state ceilings, and who demonstrate financial need
Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards – for students from disadvantaged or low income families with a GPA of at least 2.0, family income and assets below the state ceilings, and who demonstrate financial need
Cal Grant C Awards - for students from low income families pursuing vocational programs of study
Keep your eyes and ears open.
Rules and amounts governing Cal Grants are subject to change!

5. Eligibility for Cal Grants
To be eligible for a Cal Grant, the student must also:
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Be a California resident
Attend a California college or university in

6. Cal Grant Ceilings ( )
Income Ceilings - includes Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), plus untaxed income, minus additional financial information
Asset Ceilings - all parent and student assets excluding primary home, business equity, and retirement accounts

7. Types of Applications & Documents
18-19 FAFSA Submit to all schools
18-19 CSS Financial Aid PROFILE Submit only if required by a school
Institutional Scholarship and/or Financial Aid Application Some schools may have their own private applications for aid or merit scholarships
2016 federal tax returns (along with schedules and W-2s) or other income documentation

8. Getting Ready Before starting the FAFSA, gather:
Student driver’s license
Student Alien Registration Card
Student and Parent
2016 federal income tax form (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ)
Social Security cards
2016 W-2 Forms and 1099s
Records of untaxed income
Current bank statements
Business, farm and other real estate records
Records of stocks, bonds and other investments

9. FAFSA on the Web Worksheet
The FAFSA Worksheet allows you to pre-answer the most difficult questions before logging into FAFSA on the Web (FOTW).
We will not cover all questions asked, just the most difficult ones!
The FAFSA is a “smart” form; not all questions will be asked if they do not directly apply to you.

10. FSA ID
The FSA ID serves as an electronic signature for each individual
The FSA ID is tied to an individual’s name, SSN, and DOB
Both the student and at least one custodial parent must have an FSA ID in order to sign the FAFSA electronically
The FSA ID can take a few days to be processed/activated, make sure to create an FSA ID as soon as possible
Apply for an FSA ID at:

11. Getting Started www.fafsa.ed.gov Start here for all options:
Initial FAFSA entry
Renewal application entry
FAFSA corrections
Providing signatures
Continuing a saved FAFSA
Viewing transaction history

12. Logging In
The student can log-in using their FSA ID or by entering their personal information
The FAFSA belongs to the student.
Log-in information must be for the student, NOT the parent!

13. Social Security Number
Double check the student’s Social Security Number--once SSN is entered here, it cannot be changed!
Both student name and Social Security Number will be compared through a database match
Errors in name, SSN, and date of birth can cause problems later
First and last name must match exactly as it appears on the Social Security Card
If student has a middle name,
do not include it here, only first
and last name in this log-in section

14. Schools can’t use previous year FAFSAs
Choose a School Year
Be sure to pick !
Schools can’t use previous year FAFSAs

15. A password allows you to save and return to the FAFSA later
Choose a Password
A password allows you to save and return to the FAFSA later

16. Select the links to read additional information/instructions/tips
Introduction
Select the links to read additional information/instructions/tips

17. Layout Overview Bar at the top shows you the section where you are
The bar on the left shows you if the questions pertain to the “student” or the “parent”
There are helpful hints on the right to help you answer the questions correctly
Use the “next” and “previous” arrows to navigate—do not use the arrows on your web browser!

18. Student Information
If the student has a middle name, enter initial here
First name, last name, SSN, and DOB are already pre-populated from the log-in section
You can only update name and DOB, not SSN
Indicate student’s sex at birth – do not leave this blank

19. State of Legal Residency
Remember, this is the student,
not the parent’s status
If not a resident for at least 5 years, you will be asked more questions about residency

20. Contact Information
Make sure to list an the student will check
is a common communication method for aid offices
List a phone number that the student will answer
Parents will have a chance to list their later

21. Selective Service Requirement
Male students who are years of age
must be registered with the Selective Service
If the student is female, this question will not appear.
The FAFSA is a “smart” form.
The student may also register by going to:

22. Student Marital Status
The student, not the parent’s marital status

23. Driver’s License Optional to provide Driver License information
If you indicate “yes” make sure you list the license number and the issuing state—leaving either blank can cause problems

24. Student Citizenship Status

25. Eligible Noncitizen

26. High School Completion Status

27. Grade Level in

28. Degree or Certificate Objective

29. Work Study
Always check that you are interested in work-study; you can decline later if you don’t need or want it.

30. Be sure to answer for the student.
First Bachelor Degree?
Be sure to answer for the student.
NOT the parent!

31. Foster Youth
Answering “yes” to this question will bypass all parental questions. If “Yes,” the student will be required to submit proof of this status with official documents from the State.

32. Parent Educational Level
Highest level of education the parent(s) has completed
This is used to determine first-generation status for colleges
Father/Mother no longer used on form.
Will be asked for high school completion of both parents, even if it’s a single parent household
“College or beyond” is for anyone who has earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher

33. High School
Student enters the name, city and state of the high school they attended
Student selects “Confirm” to retrieve the results
If match is found, select school information
If no match is found you can hit “next”
No consequences for leaving this blank

34. Where are you going?
It’s important that you get your FAFSA information to the right schools.
You can select up to 10 schools at a time & after each submission you can substitute the original 10 schools for up to 10 new schools.
Be sure to scroll down to check the schools you selected.

35. NOTE: Each UC and each CSU campus must be listed separately
School Code Features
You can scroll through the search results
You can also view detailed information for a school before & after adding the school to the FAFSA
NOTE: Each UC and each CSU campus must be listed separately

36. Your housing plans help determine your cost of attendance.

37. Strategies for Listing Colleges
List at least one California college or university in the first 3 spots (for Cal Grant consideration)
Then list those schools with the earliest financial aid deadlines, regardless of whether they are in-state or out-of-state
If the student is applying to more than 10 schools, wait for the FAFSA to be processed, then go back online to add more schools

38. Independent students may be asked to provide proof of their status
Dependency Status
Most students will be dependent if they live with a biological/adoptive parent(s).
Dependent students will answer “no” to all these questions
If the student answers “yes” to ANY of these questions, they are independent & do not have to provide parent information
Independent students may be asked to provide proof of their status

39. Dependency Status Results
If the student has a special circumstance and is unable to provide parental information, under very limited circumstances, the student may be able to submit their FAFSA without parental information.

40. Contact a Financial Aid Office for more information
Who is a Parent?
Provide Information for:
Biological or adoptive parent(s)- Including unmarried parents and same-sex parents, if living together
Stepparent (regardless of any prenuptial agreements)
Do not provide information for:
Foster parent(s), student is automatically considered independent
Legal guardian(s) or grandparent(s) or other relative(s) unless they have legally adopted the student
Students who do not have contact with their parent(s), may request a dependency override.
Contact a Financial Aid Office for more information

41. Parent’s Marital Status
What is your parent’s marital status as of today?
If answer is “married or remarried” you will be asked for marital date
If answer is “divorced or separated” you will be asked for divorce/separated date – you will also be asked which parent is completing the form (mother or father)
If answer is “never married,” you will be asked which parent is completing the form (mother or father).
If the parents’ marital status changes after you submit the FAFSA, contact your financial aid office.

42. Parent Information Student will be asked to provide parent(s):
SSN
Last Name
Date of Birth
If it’s a two parent household you will be asked for Parent 1 and Parent 2 information
It does not matter which parent is listed as Parent 1 or Parent 2, just make sure to always keep it consistent
If it’s a one parent household you will only provide information for one parent
That parent will always be referred to as mother/father instead of Parent 1/Parent 2

43. Parent Address
If a parental address is provided, the parent will be notified when the FAFSA has been processed
This can also be used by schools to contact parents of aid offers or required documents
Make sure it’s a different address than the student’s

44. Parent State of Legal Residency
This is the parent(s),
not the student’s status!

45. Family Size Include in the household:
the student applying for financial aid
the custodial parent(s)
parents’ other dependent children, if they live with the parent(s) and if the parent(s) provide more than half their support
parents’ other dependent children if the parents’ are listed on that child’s FAFSA application, regardless of where the children live
other people, if they now live with the parent(s), and if the parent(s) provide more than half their support, and will continue to provide that level of support from 7/1/18 through 6/30/19

46. Parents cannot be considered “in college,”
Number in College
Always include the student whose FAFSA you are completing
Include other household members only if they will attend at least half-time in in a program that leads to a college degree or certificate
Parents cannot be considered “in college,”
even if enrolled

47. Have you filed?
At this time, almost everyone should have filed their 2016 tax forms
Anyone who filed a tax extension that is due October 15th – you can wait to complete your FAFSA once taxes are done

48. Filing Status
Filing Status is not the same as the marital status, but often matches
Filing Status can be found right under your address information on your tax form

49. Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)
You will be asked if you want to import your tax data directly from the IRS
Using DRT is the quickest and easiest way to complete your FAFSA
Using DRT improves the accuracy of your FAFSA
You are not required to use DRT (you can manually enter all of your tax data), however DRT is highly encouraged

50. DRT Step 1 – Leaving FAFSA
Only one parent can pull information from the IRS
It does not matter which parent, Parent 1 or Parent 2, so long as:
The parent is listed on the FAFSA
The parent has an FSA ID
The parent must list their FSA ID and password before linking to the IRS
Once you select “Proceed to IRS Site” you will leave the FAFSA website

51. DRT Step 2 – IRS Database
This info is pre-populated based on your FAFSA
Double check the information either way
You must enter the address listed on the taxes exactly as it appears on your return
All punctuation marks, spaces, capitals, etc. must be exact
Make sure to hit “Submit” once you are done

52. DRT Step 3 – Transfer your Data
Make sure to select check the box to transfer
Make sure you select “Transfer Now”
Once done, you will be sent back to the FAFSA website

53. DRT Step 4 – Success!
You will receive a message on your FAFSA once your data has been transferred
Any data element that was retrieved will say “Transferred by IRS” next to the question – and you will not be able to view or edit the data

54. Type of Tax Return This can be transferred through DRT
Your tax form type will be at the top left corner of your tax return

55. Parent’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
This can be transferred through DRT
This question will let you know what line item from your taxes you should reference:
Line 37 for a 1040
Line 21 for a 1040A
Line 4 for a 1040EZ
Used in Cal Grant consideration

56. Parent’s Income Earned from Work
What is your parent’s income earned from work?
You will be asked to breakdown what portion of the AGI is earnings from work
This is not transferred from DRT, you must answer these questions manually
Include earnings from W-2 statements
Include net business income from a Schedule C
Include income from a K-1 if self-employment earnings were reported
Earnings from work do not have to match with AGI

57. Dislocated Worker/ Displaced Homemaker
In general, a person may be considered a dislocated worker if they are receiving unemployment benefits due to being laid off and are unlikely to return to their previous occupation.
It also includes displaced homemakers. A displaced homemaker is a person who previously provided unpaid services to the family (i.e., a stay-at-home parent), and is no longer supported by the spouse, is unemployed or underemployed, and is having trouble finding or upgrading employment.

58. Social Security Benefits
Means Tested Benefits
This is not the
same as
Social Security Benefits
If you are not receiving any benefits from these type of federal programs, answer “none of the above.”
You may not be asked these questions depending on how you answered previous questions.

59. Eligible for 1040A or 1040EZ?
This question asks whether the parent(s), are eligible to file a 1040A or 1040EZ tax form
If you do not know the answer to this question, it is fine to select “Don’t know”
1040A and 1040EZ are simplified tax forms
Parents who itemize deductions on Schedule A or are self-employed and file a Schedule C are not eligible to file a 1040A or 1040EZ

60. 2016 Income Tax Paid This can be transferred through DRT
Taxes paid is not the amount withheld on your W-2 form
Make sure to reference the specific line items listed for this figure
Line 56 minus line 46 for a 1040
Line 37 for a 1040A
Line 10 for a 1040EZ

61. Tax Exemptions This can be transferred through DRT
Reference line 6d for a 1040 & 1040A
Exemptions include the parent(s) and their claimed dependents
This does not have to match the household size (but it often does)
The student does not have to be claimed on the tax return of the custodial parent

62. Additional Financial Information
Some of this information can be transferred through DRT
For more details/description, check the box to see the expanded view
Used in Cal Grant consideration

63. Untaxed Income
Some of this data can be transferred through DRT, but read all sections carefully
Yearly contributions to your retirement plans must be included!
Child support received must also be reported, even if it has now ended
Used in Cal Grant consideration

64. Assets
$_______?
Exceed amount will vary from person to person depending on how previous questions were answered
Net worth is the total value of investment minus debt on investment (not debt of the family)

65. Parent Investments Include…
real estate (other than the home where you reside)
trust funds
money market and mutual funds
certificates of deposit
stocks, bonds, & other securities
529 plans owned by the parents for all children (not just applicant)
installment and land sale contracts
Business/Farm Investments:
businesses if parent(s) owns less than 50%, regardless of the number of employees
businesses if parent(s) owns more than 50% and there are more than 100 employees
farms if the family does not live on the farm

66. Parent Investments DO NOT Include:
the home where you reside
the value of life insurance plans
Your retirement accounts (pension funds, annuities, non-education IRAs, Keogh plans, etc.)
Small businesses if parent(s) owns business more than 50% and there are less than 100 employees
529 plans owned by others (i.e. grandparents)
UGMA and UTMA accounts in the
student’s name

67. Student Financial Information
The directions to complete the student income section are the same as those outlined for the parent
If the student is “not going to file,” they will still be asked if they had earnings
If the student did not earn income in 2016, indicate “0.”
Independent Students will answer a few additional questions than Dependent Students

68. Student Assets
Do not report a 529 account as a student asset; it’s a parent asset.
Report UGMA or UTMAs in the student’s name.
Any other asset in the student’s name MUST be reported.
Student asset questions cannot be bypassed. If question does not apply indicate “0”—do not leave blank.

69. Special Note on 529s
529 accounts owned by grandparents or other relatives are not reported anywhere on the FAFSA as an asset.
However, any money disbursed (paid) will be considered untaxed income for the student and must be reported on next year’s FAFSA application.
This could greatly change eligibility for need-based financial aid in the following years.

70. Student Signature Process
You are not a “preparer” if you are doing your own FAFSA
Must always “Agree” and “Sign”
May be asked to provide Student FSA ID & Password before signing

71. Parent Signature Process
One custodial parent must sign the FAFSA Once the FAFSA is signed by both student and parent, SUBMIT!

72. Confirmation Page
Your estimated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is displayed
Federal aid eligibility is displayed

73. Special Circumstances
Contact Financial Aid Offices if there is:
Loss or reduction in parent or student income or assets that is out of your control
Death or serious illness
Unusual medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
Reduction in child support, social security benefits or other untaxed benefit
Financial responsibility for elderly grandparents
Any other unusual circumstances that affects a family’s ability to contribute to higher education
Write your circumstances as a letter and mail, fax, or to each aid office

74. Summary of FA Process
Submit all required forms, including FAFSA, by each college’s published deadlines (but no later than March 2nd)
Keep a copy of all forms you submit
Review the electronic Student Aid Report (SAR) for errors
Be sure to apply for financial aid this year and every year that the student is enrolled
ASK QUESTIONS!

75. Net Price Calculator
The NPC is a quick and useful tool which can help you understand how to finance an education.
Federal government mandates all colleges have one.
Each NPC is specific to that school.
Based on the information you enter, you will be provided with an estimated financial aid award.
Not an actual aid application!

76. Need help? FAFSA on the Web Live Help
Phone FED-AID ( )
the U.S. Department of Education at:

77. Questions?