1. The Financial Aid Application Process
The Solution Center
The Financial Aid Application Process

2. Objective
What you will you learn?
TSC staff will be able to inform students how to apply for financial aid at UMass Lowell
Know which forms are required
Know when & how to complete required forms

3. The FAFSA
UMass Lowell requires the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which may be completed online at
Note: Other institutions may require the CSS Profile and/or an Institutional application
YouTube Video by the
US Department of Education:
FAFSA: How to Fill out the FAFSA

4. The Federal PIN
The student and parent must obtain a federal PIN before completing the FAFSA
The federal PIN is used to electronically sign:
FAFSA
Student/parent loan promissory notes, and
Access federal loan data
The federal PIN is a number that stays with a student/parent forever

5. What is Asked on the FAFSA
The FAFSA Requests :
Bio demo data
Household size
Prior year tax information
Various asset information

6. Dependency Status Dependent or Independent
Generally the student is dependent until the age of 24 unless they:
Are married
Have dependents which they provide more than 50% of their support
Are a veteran
Are a graduate student
Are a ward of the court
Under legal guardianship
YouTube Video by the US Department of Education:
FAFSA: Determining Your Dependency Status

7. IRS Data Retrieval
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) allows applicants to prefill the federal tax information on the FAFSA by transferring data from their federal income tax returns
DRT saves the family time in completing the FAFSA, and may also reduce the likelihood that the FAFSA will be selected for verification
REF: FA_17_Verification_Process_and_Requirements

8. Who CAN use the Data Retrieval Tool
Applicant must have a valid Social Security Number and FAFSA PIN to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)
Applicant will need to authenticate him/herself to the IRS in order to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
Students and parents must use the tool separately for their respective income tax returns

9. Who CANNOT use the Data Retrieval Tool
Independent applicant who is married and files separately
Dependent applicant's parents are married and file separately
(i.e., married filing separately or head of household)
Change in the marital status of the applicant or parent (if the applicant is a dependent student) after the end of the tax year
Student/parent filed amended tax return
Student/parent filed foreign income tax return
Taxpayers who file with Tax ID Number and not SSN
Home address on FAFSA does not match tax return

10. Deadlines UML priority deadline is March 1st
Note: Those who have not completed taxes are encouraged to still complete FAFSA with estimated tax information to meet the priority deadline. Student/parent may log back into application and make necessary corrections once taxes are filed