1. NOTE TO PRESENTER This presentation provides information on
(1.5a) Identify potential barrier(s) to college affordability and develop a realistic plan to earn money to overcome potential barriers.
(4.1b) Understand and articulate all aspect of the financial aid application process (key steps, documents, terms and timeline)
(4.3a) Identify which financial aid application to complete: FAFSA or WASFA
(4.4e) Describe the financial aid process and key steps from application to refund and reapplication
that can be used in outreach to students and families. The presentation was created by Puget Sound College and Career Network. This resource is intended to be flexible in adoption. You may add or delete content however, you must ensure any edits made to this presentation and/or any uses of this presentation are done in a manner that furthers the goals of PSCCN.

2. Financial Aid Process

3. Warm Up: Quick Temperature Check
On a scale of 1-5, how comfortable are you with financial aid and the financial aid application process? 1
Wait, what? 5
I was a financial aid advisor in my past life!

4. 10 minutes
LET’S PRACTICE
Let’s get familiar with the financial aid process:
On your table are key steps for the financial aid process. Place the different steps in order to your best knowledge.
On your own paper answer:
What key steps were new to you?
What questions do you have?
NOTE: The Financial Aid Process and Key Steps Activity which includes talking points for each key step can be found in the PSCCN Financial Aid Toolkit under Student and Family Resources.
If time permits, facilitate a whole group discussion by asking students to share out their answers.

5. What is the FSA ID? (FAFSA only)
Federal Student Aid Identification (FSA ID) is a username and password used to
Access all federal student aid websites, such as the FAFSA and
sign electronic documents.
The security of your FSA ID is important.
Creating a FSA ID is the first step to completing the FAFSA
If you are completing the WASFA you will need to create an account at
Both student and parent need to create separate FSA IDs with individual s.
Parents with more than one child attending college can use the same FSA ID to sign all applications.
After applying for an FSA ID, it takes 1-3 days to confirm your identity with SSA and you will not be able to use it until you receive a success confirmation.
Be sure to check your !
If the student and/or parent has an Alien ID# instead of a Social Security Number, they will not be able to get a FSA ID. They will need to print the signature page on the submit screen and mail it as an alternative.
NOTE TO PRESENTER:
To learn more about registering for a FSA ID, view the separate presentation developed by the Department of Education titled, “Creating and Using Your FSA ID: An Overview”.
While WASFA applicants to do not need an FSA ID, the WASFA does require students and the parent/guardian signer to have accounts/address (each must have their own)

6. How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for financial aid, such as federal and state grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the FAFSA or WASFA
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
WASFA
Washington Application for State Financial Aid
Qualified Citizens and Non-Citizens i.e., students with a green card
Qualified Non-Citizens who are not eligible for federal financial aid, i.e, undocumented students
Find out which application you should complete:

7. What information do I need?
Parent should be present, if possible
Student and parent’s income information* (bank statements, W-2 or pay stub and a 2017 tax return)
Additional financial aid information such as child support statements, TANF or welfare information, real estate, investments or family business.
FAFSA only
Your Social Security number or Green Card number
One parent’s Social security number (if they have one)
*“Who’s my parent when I fill out financial aid forms?” (FAFSA and WASFA) Resource:

8. Let’s Practice! 15 minutes
Let’s get familiar with financial aid forms:
On your table are FAFSA paper form and a WASFA Application Guide
Grab whichever one that you think pertains to your situation and begin to fill it out.
On your own paper answer:
What information will you were you unable to complete?
What information will you need from your parents to complete the form?
Will your parents be comfortable with/wiling to provide the information, in your opinion?
List potential barriers to completing this form and college affordability. Example: lack of tax information from parents.
Develop a plan with potential ways to overcome the barriers you listed above.
FAFSA:
WASFA Application Guide:
If time permits, facilitate a whole group discussion by asking students to share out their answers.

9. Selective Service Registration
All males in the US (citizen, resident or undocumented) must register for the Selective Service in order to receive Federal financial aid for college.
Male students can select to register for Selective Service while applying for financial aid (Question 22 on FAFSA)
What does this mean?
Selective Service is the system used in the United States to draft young people into armed service.
At this time (and for a long time) we have a volunteer-based registration system and no draft.
If we go to war AND Congress enacts a draft, all registered men ages could be chosen to go through the Selective Service.
Registering for the Selective Service does not mean you are joining the military or that if we go to war you will be drafted.
There are very limited circumstances where a student can not have to register for the selective service. They will likely be selected for verification if they opt not to and will need to complete a form that asks them to explain why or if an exemption applies to them. In that case the school will review their verification submission to determine if the student is eligible for aid/they can award the student financial aid.
Female students seeking Federal financial aid are not required to have registered for Selective Service.

10. Will the government share my information with the IRS or ICE?
FERPA law prohibits your information being shared with any government agency or any individual other than the colleges you request. WASFA information is not shared outside the state of Washington this is prohibited by FERPA as well as stare law. Information in financial aid applications is protected by federal law. It is only shared with the colleges students choose, the sate financial aid agency and for FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education.
From Ready Set Grad (WASFA application)
“Regarding concerns that students, parents, and other partners may have about the confidentiality of information submitted on the WASFA, the purpose of the application is to provide eligibility information to colleges and universities in Washington that offer State Need Grant. WSAC shares application information with campuses listed by the student so those schools may determine eligibility for resident tuition and financial aid. Campuses are not permitted to use the information for other purposes or share the data with other parties.
WSAC is committed to protecting the confidentiality of the information and privacy of students and families. Washington is a state committed to providing opportunities to students and protecting the rights of families.”

11. What happens after you complete the FAFSA or WASFA?
Information goes to your colleges.
Check with your colleges to make sure they have received your FAFSA or WASFA.
Colleges may contact you to ask for additional information. Respond as quickly as possible to ensure you receive your financial aid on time.
Colleges that accept you will send you a letter letting you know what you’ve been awarded!
Compare your financial aid award letters and consider each school’s academic programs, student support systems, campus social/recreational offerings and campus environment to select “best fit.” Let your college of choice know which financial aid you’d like to accept or decline.
Receive financial aid! If your financial aid award is greater than your cost of tuition and fees, you may receive and refund.
Reapply every year you’re in college starting October 1st.

12. TIPS Apply as early as October 1st each year starting senior year
Colleges have different financial aid deadlines, and depending on where you apply the deadline may be sooner that the federal deadline.
Most financial aid if awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and funding is limited
Apply at least 2 weeks before the deadline
Your application may be selected for verification (a request for additional documentations) apply at least 2 weeks before the deadline so you have time to respond if you’re selected.
You must complete the entire financial aid process every year to receive funds
Your eligibility for financial aid can differ from year to year. Changes in your family’s economic status as well as the number of family members enrolled in college at the same time can affect your financial aid award.
After the first year in college, you will be able to complete a Renewal FAFSA, which will prefill the application with information from the previous year’s FAFSA.
There’s more financial aid available! Look for and apply for scholarships!
Your eligibility for financial aid can differ from year to year. Family situations including changes in your family’s economic status as well as the number of family members enrolled in college at the same time as you can change. Some factors can af

13. EXIT TICKET On your own paper answer:
On a scale of 1-5, how comfortable are you with financial aid and the financial aid application process after this lesson?
1 = “Wait, what?”, 5 = “I think I was a financial aid advisor in my past life
What is 1 thing you can expect to happen after you complete the FAFSA or WASFA?
What date does the FAFSA and WASFA open each year?
True or False: Registering for selective service means you are joining the military.
True or False: You have to reapply for financial aid every year you’re enrolled in college.