1. FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid

2. 2019 – 2020 FAFSA
If you are attending college from: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 Time frame to file: October 1, 2018 – June 30, 2020 Tax Information Required: 2017 Tax Return

3. General Eligibility U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
Valid Social Security number
High school diploma or equivalent
Be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program at a college or university
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

4. Qualifications Complete the FAFSA®
Comply with verification requirements
if the student’s FAFSA is selected for verification by the college or university the student plans to attend or the federal government.
Demonstrate financial need
the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Grad PLUS Loan, and Parent PLUS loan do not depend on financial need.
Sign a Statement of Educational Purpose
certifying that he or she will use Title IV federal student aid to pay for education costs only
Male students must register with the Selective Service
Male students between the ages of 18 and 25 may check a box on the FAFSA to register with Selective Service.

5. 2019-2020 Tutorial: The FAFSA in 7 Easy Steps
Follow these steps:
1. Setting Up Your Account
2. Student Demographics
3. School Selection
4. Dependency Status
5. Your Parent’s Information
6. Student and Parent Financial Information
7. Sign and Submit

6. But first…create a Federal Student Aid ID
Step #1: Setting Up Your Account Three options to file FAFSA: 1. Online at  Mobile app – myStudentAid (iTunes, Google Play) 3. Paper FAFSA (
But first…create a Federal Student Aid ID

7. FSA ID https://fsaid.ed.gov/ Student and parents need their own FSA ID
FSA ID associated with the Social Security Number of the account holder
FSA ID allows you to electronically sign your FAFSA

8. Step #2: Student Demographics
Student Information
Application belongs to the student, “you” and “your” refer to the student
MAKE SURE YOU NAME MATCHES EXACTLY TO SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
Social Security Number
Required, application will not be processed without a Social Security Number

9. Step #3: School Selection
Can list up to 10 school
can only list 4 on paper application
You do not need to know exactly where you are going yet
You can edit the schools later
You can list a school you have not applied to yet
Your school list is not shared with other schools

10. Step #4: Dependency Status
Dependent vs. Independent
FAFSA will ask a series of questions to determine status for FAFSA
If none apply = dependent
If any apply = independent
*note: dependency status for FAFSA is not the same as being a dependent on your parents taxes (classifications are separate and not related at all)
Born before 1/1/1996
Married
Working on a Master’s or Doctorate Degree
Have children who receive more then half of their support from you
Active duty or veteran -- U.S. Armed Forces
Both parents deceased, in foster care, or ward of the court
Emancipated minor
Have a legal guardian, determined by the court
Homeless/unaccompanied youth, determined by the court

11. Dependent Student with Unusual Circumstances
Student may be able to request a dependency override to receive independent student status. Unusual circumstances are discretionary and granted on a case-by-case basis.
Some examples of unusual circumstances can include:
Death of a parent
Incarceration or institutionalization of both parents
Parental drug use
Parental mental incapacity
Parent whereabouts unknown
Student voluntary and involuntary removal from parents' home due to abuse that threatens student's safety and/or health
Student abandonment by parents

12. Cannot Provide Parental Information
If your parent refuses to provide parental information, and you do not have an unusual circumstance, you still have some options.
You can choose to apply for Unsubsidized Loan Only federal financial aid
You will need to contact your financial aid office about your options for a Professional Judgement for your situation

13. Step #5: Your Parent's Information
With so many living situations, figuring out who is considered a parent or which parent’s information to use on the FAFSA can be confusing. Call and explain YOUR situation: FAFSA Help Line studentaidhelp.ed.gov

14. Step #6: Student and Parent Financial Information
2017 tax filing (2017 W-2 Forms) for the FAFSA
The questions ask for the student applicant’s information. If the question is asking for the parent’s information, it will be identified within the question

15. **must have filed your 2017 taxes**
IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) allows students and Parents to import financial information directly from the IRS
**must have filed your 2017 taxes**
Taxpayer requirements for using the IRS DRT:
Valid social security number
FSA ID and password
Cannot use IRS DRT:
File as married filing separately or Head of Household
Marital status of "Unmarried and both legal parents living together"
Change in marital status before the end of the tax year
Different home address on the FAFSA and federal tax return
Foreign income tax return instead of or in addition to the U.S. federal income tax return
Puerto Rican tax returns

16. Have not filed 2017 Tax Return
If you “Will file”:
will be asked what type of tax return you plan to file
then will be asked to input your estimated income
there is an Income Estimator available to help
If “Not going to file”:
this may affect your ability to receive need-based aid
you will need to report earnings (wages, salaries, tips, etc.)
Please note, if student and/or parent choose this option and your income is above the IRS tax- filing threshold, your FAFSA will be selected for verification
2017 Filing Requirements for Independent Taxpayers
If your filing status is... And at the end of 2017 you were... Then you must file a return if your gross income was at least...
Single under $10,400
65 or older $11,950
Married filing jointly under 65 (both spouses) $20,800
65 or older (one spouse) $22,050

17. Step #7: Sign and Submit Review FAFSA Summary Signature – options:
If there are any mistakes, correct them!
Signature – options:
Sign electronically using your FSA ID (fastest and recommended way)
Print a signature page (you will need to print and mail in your signature)
Submit without signatures (you can submit your FAFSA now without your signature, but you will need return later to sign)
Dependent students need parent(s) to sign
Same options as above
Electronic Signature
Parents need to use their own FSA ID, they cannot use the student’s
By signing the FAFSA, the individual providing their signature certifies that all of the information on the form is correct and that they are willing to provide documentation during the verification process to prove that the information is correct

18. 2019-20 Completing the FAFSA Form
This form gives explanations for each question that is asked on the FAFSA

19. Undocumented Students / Parents
Undocumented Students Undocumented students cannot legally receive any federally funded student financial aid, including loans, grants, scholarships or work-study money In most states, they are not eligible for state financial aid Private institutions set their own financial aid policies Undocumented Parents Student that are legal U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible noncitizen are eligible for federally funded student financial aid It does not matter if the student’s parents are undocumented, under-documented, or foreign citizens.

20. CSS Profile®
Used by nearly 400 colleges, universities, professional schools, and scholarship programs to award more than $9 billion in grants
If a school uses the CSS Profile, it will be listed on the school’s application and/or website
Available on October 1 each year

21. Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) aka – Bright Futures Application
October 1st of Senior year -- August 31 after high school graduation
If a student does not apply for the scholarship by the deadline, a student cannot receive the scholarship
The FFAA allows students to apply to all of the programs listed below:
José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund – April 1
Rosewood Family Scholarship Program – April 1
Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans – April 1

22. School District of Lee County 2018 Financial Aid Nights (see flyer for details)