2. Higher Education Access Partner
Carol Handlan
Higher Education Access Partner

3. Don’t mix answers for student and parent information.
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!

4. Whose Information Goes on the FAFSA?
Divorced or separated parents (the parent the student lived with the most over the past 12 months. If equal, then the parent who provided more than 50% of student’s financial support)
Stepparents - yes
Adoptive parents - yes
Foster parents - no
Legal guardians - no
Anyone else the student is living with - no

5. 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.

6. Special Circumstances
Recent Death or Disability
Reduced Income
Recent Separation or Divorce
Contact the school and ask for a special consideration AND Contact State Grant Division at PHEAA

7. PIN (Personal Identification Number)
Sign FAFSA electronically
Not required, but
speeds processing
Website:
BOTH Student and one Parent sign electronically with PIN
Do NOT lose it. Write it down and store in a safe place
Do NOT share it with anyone
Links for PIN are within the FAFSA form too
**PIN will be changing to username and password in April/May 2015.

9. FAFSA On The Web (FOTW) – Log In
Student Section

10. Renewal or New

11. Create a PASSWORD to access your data (NOTE: your PIN is your signature, not your password)

14. Answer “yes” to work-study, even if you’re not sure

15. MUST list your High School

16. Drop down boxes will help you find your High School

17. NEXT: Post Secondary School Selection Add up to 10 schools!

18. Drop down box helps you find your Post Secondary School

19. Selected Schools that you may be interested in attending

20. Housing Selection Change the order of schools

21. Dependency Questions
All “No” answers = Dependent Status (most high school students) “Yes” answers = additional questions to determine Independent Status

22. Dependent Students must provide Parent Info Note: If unable, it is a Special Circumstance and additional info is required by the school

23. Parent(s) Information
Parent(s) Last Name
MUST match SSN info

24. Don’t miss deadlines if you haven’t filed taxes yet!
Filed taxes yet? WILL FILE: It’s OK to estimate tax information

25. After filing taxes 
You will RETURN to FAFSA.gov, Financial Information and use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
Dislocated Worker means:
Laid Off or Unemployed

26. Keep Going! Continue to answer income questions
Asset Protection Allowance is calculated

27. Same questions, including to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
Student tax info…
Same questions, including to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool

28. Some families ask:
Why are there so many income questions for my high school student?
Answer: A student can be an adult (independent)
or have additional income to report
Answer as it applies to you!
No Asset Protection for Student.

29. Data Integrity
Identifies errors or missing data before you submit!

30. Sign with your PIN www. pin. ed
Sign with your PIN or link within the FAFSA Student and Parent

31. Acknowledges PIN signature…

32. Parent’s PIN
Privacy agreements

33. PIN errors will be addressed

34. Congratulations. You submitted your FAFSA. Parents with second student
Congratulations! You submitted your FAFSA! Parents with second student? Start here EFC and Estimated eligibility are calculated

35. Confirmation Page Continued
IF taxes were estimated, don’t forget to use IRS Data Retrieval Tool after filing.

36. IRS Data Retrieval Tool

37. IRS Data Retrieval Tool Verification
Change the Tax question to: Already Completed
Answer the questions below and the
IRS link will be shown if all answers are “NO”
Enter parent PIN, click on LINK TO IRS
================================
Follow the prompts to go to the IRS page
and transfer the Tax Return information into
the FAFSA
The transferred information will be displayed. Do not change IRS tax information that has been transferred.
Click “Next” after reviewing information
IF student filed taxes, repeat steps.
Proceed to the SIGN and SUBMIT page – enter PIN’s, agree to privacy terms and SUBMIT the new verified FAFSA information
====================================
An updated SAR will be sent through and your school choices will receive the verified FAFSA information.
IF verified info changes an award package, new information will be sent to the student.

39. PA State Grant Form

40. Apply for your PA State Grant from the FAFSA Confirmation Page
TRANSFERS FOTW data to
the
State Grant Application
Optional Feature – Start your State Application – Click HERE if you want to apply for Pennsylvania State based financial aid

41. Online State Grant Application
Additional questions needed to determine PA State Grant eligibility
enrollment status (full time/part time)
value of PA 529 College Savings Program
program of study for students in vocational programs
employment status
Link off the FAFSA Application CONFIRMATION Page
Moves you right to the PA Grant Application
Missed the link or it wasn’t available?
An is sent to student/parent from PHEAA with a Link to the form OR
Go to PHEAA.org, State Grant Program -> and Complete the form/Account Access
Help screens are available for all questions

42. PA State Grant Form online

43. Online State Grant Application
Note: AES is a servicing division of PHEAA – you are in the right place!
Just follow the prompts…

44. All Done….. After mailing!
Print & Mail
**You MUST print, sign and mail in the Grant Confirmation Page

45. Check your status
Students can view their status on
Account Access at PHEAA.org
Establish a personal account at PHEAA.org
Check s regularly for any updates

46. Get your PIN: www.pin.ed.gov File FAFSA for 2015-16 at FAFSA.GOV
Things to Remember
Get your PIN:
File FAFSA for at FAFSA.GOV
Use the IRS Data Retrieval tool after filing taxes
Do your FAFSA and State Grant app at the same time
Meet your school’s DEADLINES
State Grant Deadline for FAFSA, May 1, 2015
School deadlines may be earlier!
Research Careers:
Research COSTS:

47. What Happens Next?
Student Aid Report or Acknowledgment sent to student (review and make necessary corrections)
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined
Information is sent to PHEAA. Student must complete State Grant Form (SGF). Can link to this directly from the FAFSA or go to
Account Access (PHEAA) - create an account at to view PA State Grant
FAFSA information is sent to schools/colleges listed on the FAFSA.

48. Financial Aid Award Notification from School
Schools/colleges receive your FAFSA information and calculate financial need
School cost……………………. $26,000
EFC………………………………- 3,000
Financial need………………… $23,000
Financial Aid Office (FAO) “packages” student based on financial need and available funding (varies from school to school).
The Financial Aid Award letter is sent to the student only after the FAFSA is processed and student is accepted for enrollment.

49. Reviewing the Financial Aid Award (FAA) Letter
After reviewing the FAA letter 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?

50. Making Your Decision
Only after you have carefully reviewed all of the FAA letters from the schools that you have been accepted to and you understand the true costs to you and your family, is when you will know what school is truly affordable to you and your family to attend.
Know how you will pay for all 2, 4 or 5 years of your program of study NOW not after you are on campus!!

51. Resources PHEAA.org EducationPlanner.org MySmartBorrowing.com
YouCanDealWithIt.com
Myfedloan.org
PHEAA toll free:
Federal Student Aid Info Center –
– general financial aid info
– information on federal loans

52. Questions?
QUESTIONS?

53. Carol Handlan chandlan@pheaa.org 717.514.9038
Contact Information
Carol Handlan
Higher Education Access Partner