1. Carol Handlan chandlan@pheaa.org

2. 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!

3. 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.

4. FSA ID Get your FSA ID PRIOR to sitting down to complete the FAFSA
Sign the FAFSA Electronically
The student and 1 parent will need an FSA ID
Do NOT lose it; write it down and store in a safe place (write down the challenge question answers, too)
Do NOT share it with anyone
You will need your FSA ID every year you file a FAFSA and to log in to sign loan paperwork

5. FAFSA.gov
Click here for saved applications, corrections or renewal FAFSA
Click here for initial FAFSA

6. Login Where you see the student bar, only enter student information
Review Help and Hints sections to answer questions
Where you see the student bar, only enter student information

7. Enter
FSA ID

8. Select the correct FAFSA year

9. Save Key
Can be anything – just so you can get back into the application
i.e. the family dog’s name, your favorite color, etc.:

10. More Help Information

11. Student Demographics
Use the previous and next buttons within the application

12. Student Eligibility Male students get the selective service question;
Answer “yes” to the work-study question;
Have you received FSA? (most freshman will answer “no”)

13. Must list and confirm your high school

14. Postsecondary School Selection
List up to 10 schools
List the school you’re most likely to attend first
Enter school code or look them up

15. Postsecondary school selection
Click and add them to your list

16. Housing Selection
Can change the order (remember to list the school most likely to attend first)
Select Housing Status

17. Dependency
All “no” answers = dependent student “Yes” answers = additional questions to determine independent status

18. FAFSA Tips Dependent students must provide parent data
Note: If unable to provide parent data, it will be a special circumstance that will be up to the school and PHEAA to determine status

19. Parent
Demographics
Marital status (stepparent info is required) Determine household size and number in college
Note: Parent’s last names must match SSN

20. Financial Information
Bar changes to Parent – only answer information for the parent here
Can answer “will file” and estimate tax information
“Have filed” opens up the IRS Data Retrieval window

21. Click OK to go to IRS site, then click OK again
If you estimate initially, you can go back and submit a correction by changing your “will file” answer to “have filed” and then complete this process.

22. These fields are pre-filled based on FAFSA responses
Complete the address information as it appears on your tax return

23. Click “Transfer Now”

24. It will tell you it’s been successful List parent(s) income from work (2015) Dislocated worker means laid off or unemployed

25. Financial Information Credits Untaxed income Education credits
Child support paid
Untaxed income
(payments to tax-deferred pensions listed on W-2 forms, box 12)
Child support received

26. Financial Information
Other untaxed income not reported elsewhere – click on the untaxed income button to see what counts

27. Student Financial Information
Bar switches back to student Use IRS DRT or you can estimate information If student did not file or wasn’t required to file, answer appropriately (you would still report any income earned or untaxed income paid to the student)

28. Student Info
Students list their cash, savings and investment values as of the date they file the FAFSA

29. Sign and Submit Student
You are not a preparer (that is if you paid someone to do this for you) Agree to the statement and click “Sign”

30. Sign and Submit
Parent
Select which parent has the FSA ID Agree to the statement Type in their FSA ID Click “Sign” Click “Submit My FAFSA Now”

31. Confirmation
Print this page for your records If more than one student in postsecondary at same time, parent can use link to transfer data

32. State Grant
Form
Click on “Start Your State Application” to complete the SGF First-time filers only

34. Print & Mail

35. What
Happens
Next
Student receives an from FSA

36. What
Happens
Next
Student can check state grant status on their Account Access at PHEAA.org

37. Things to Remember
Get your FSA IDs PRIOR to completing the FAFSA (FAFSA.gov or FSAID.ed.gov)
File your FAFSA at FAFSA.gov
Estimate and correct using the IRS DRT or use the IRS DRT if you have already filed
Complete your FAFSA and State Grant Form at the same time
Meet your school’s priority filing DEADLINES
State Grant Deadline is May 1, 2016
School Deadlines may be earlier!
Research costs: mysmartborrowing.org

38. Award Package/Letter
Schools/colleges receive financial aid information and calculate financial need - Cost less EFC
Financial Aid Office (FAO) “packages” student based on financial need and available funding (varies from school to school)
Financial aid award letter sent to student

39. Financial Aid Award Letter
Official notification from school about financial aid, terms and conditions
Lists the type and amount of each award to be received
Describes what must be done to accept or reject any award
Discloses students rights, responsibilities and academic requirements

40. Financial Need
Your financial aid package may not meet all of your calculated financial need.
Be sure to determine how much will be required of you in out-of-pocket costs and loans.

41. Reviewing the Financial Aid Package
After reviewing their 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?

43. How to Cover Unmet Need Savings – Family 529 Plans – Family
Scholarships – Various Sources
Grants – Federal and State
Tuition Payment Plans – School
Federal Student Loans – Department of Education
Institutional Loans – School
Private Education Loans – Bank
Home Equity Loans – Bank

44. Keeping Debt at a Minimum
Estimate your full cost of school
Borrow only what you need
Research your earning potential
Don’t borrow more to get your education than you believe you can earn your first year in the workforce
Think long-term
Keep a healthy mindset about debt
Finish on time!!

45. Resources for filing the FAFSA and SGF
PHEAA –
Federal Student Aid – (800-4-FED-AID)
Carol Handlan
Higher Education Access Partner

46. QUESTIONS?