1. THE FAFSA

2. Why Apply for the FAFSA?  Federal Title IV Aid PELL Grant ACG/Smart Grant FSEOG Stafford, Perkins, Graduate & Parent PLUS loans Federal Work Study TEACH Grant  Schools use the FAFSA to determine student’s eligibility for the following: Federal Some State & Institutional grants

3. Types of Financial Aid  Gift Aid - Grants or scholarships that do not need to be repaid  Work - Money earned by the student as payment for a job on or off campus  Loans - Borrowed money to be paid back, usually with interest

4.  Federal government  State government  Colleges and universities  Private agencies, companies, foundations, and your parents’ employers Sources of Financial Aid

5. Eligibility for State Aid  The TASFA is available to students who qualify, please see the application for specific details.

6. What does the FAFSA do?  Filling out the FAFSA feeds the information to the Central Processing System (CPS) which Determines eligibility for Federal Aid Calculates Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Sends paper or electronic notification to student: Student Aid Report (SAR) Electronic file to schools (ISIR)

7. What else does CPS do?  CPS matches student information given on the FAFSA with federal databases: Social Security Administration (SSA) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Selective Service (SS) Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Department of Justice (DOJ) National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Department of Defense (DOD) Internal Revenue System (IRS)

8. Federal PIN  PIN (Personal Identification Number) serves as the electronic signature on ED documents  Both student and at least one custodial parent need PIN to sign the FAFSA electronically  May be used to: Check on FAFSA status Verify and correct FAFSA data Sign Federal Master Promissory Notes Check Student Title IV History (NSLDS)  If an e-mail address is provided, PIN will be e-mailed to the PIN applicant within hours Apply for student and parent PINs at www.pin.ed.gov

9. Getting Ready  Before starting the FAFSA, gather: Student driver’s license Student Alien Registration Card Student and Parent Social Security cards 2009 W-2 Forms and other records of money earned 2009 federal income tax form (even if not completed) Records of untaxed income Current bank statements Business, farm, and other real estate records Records of stocks, bonds, and other investments Create a file for copies of all financial aid documents submitted

10. FAFSA ON THE WEB  Internet application used by students and parents to complete electronic FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov  Sophisticated on-line edits and skip logic so that errors are less likely to be made  On-line help is available for each question  Student and at least one custodial parent should get a federal PIN at www.pin.ed.gov

11.  There are significant changes to the FOTW site for the 2010- 2011 application processing cycle. Easier URL – www.fafsa.gov The application steps are shown across the top of the page. Help text has been added to every page in a Help and Hints box on the right-hand side of the page. Status messages will now display above the Help and Hints box on the right side of the page. Student or Parent indicators are now shown on pages that are specifically student or parent. Student only and Parent/Student combined pages are BLUE in color. Parent only pages are PURPLE in color.

12. 2009-2010 2010-2011 FAFSA on the Web Simplification: http://www.nasfaa.org/publications/2009/eafafsapreview112009.html

13. FAFSA Components The paper FAFSA asks 107 questions that are arranged in various headings:  Step One1-32:General Student Information, Enrollment Plans  Step Two 33-45: Student/Spouse Income and Assets  Step Three 46-58: Student Dependency Status  Step Four 59-93: Parent Information (dependent student only) Parent Household Size, Number in College, Federal Means Test Benefit Questions, Dislocated Worker, Income and Asset Information

14. FAFSA Components cont…  Step Five 94-101: Independent Student Household Size, Number in College, Federal Means Test Benefits, Dislocated Worker  Step Six 102a-h: School Information, Housing Plans  Step Seven 103-107: Signatures http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/attachmen ts/010610FinalFAFSA1011English.pdf

15. FAFSA on the Web Worksheet The 2010-2011 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet may be used to assist student with the transfer of information to FOTW.

16. DO NOT MAIL THIS WORKSHEET Go to www.fafsa.gov to complete and submit your application. For more information on federal student aid, visit www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. You can also talk with your college’s financial aid office about other types of student aid that may be available.

17. The FOTW Worksheet A Four Section Form Section 1–Student’s biographical information Section 2–determines student dependency status Section 3–collects parental information for dependent students Section 4–collects student finances and information about the independent student

18. General Student Information  Section 1 consists of questions Name & Social Security Number Citizenship Status Marital Status Selective Service Registration Parent educational level Drug conviction Expected Enrollment Status What degree & year of college

19. General Information Most Common Errors Most common errors include: Student incorrectly cites SSN Student does not include enrollment plans Student answers citizenship question incorrectly or leaves it blank Student skips or doesn’t answer gender question Student skips or doesn’t answer drug conviction question Student is dependent and bypasses parental 6 7 8 91 2 3 -4 5 -

20.  If U.S. citizen, status will be confirmed by Social Security match  If eligible noncitizen, status will be confirmed by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) match. This includes: U.S. permanent residents with I-551 Conditional permanent residents with I-551C Eligible noncitizens with I-94  If neither a citizen or eligible noncitizen, the student is ineligible for federal/state aid, but might still be eligible for institutional funds Citizenship Status

21. Alien Registration Number If an eligible noncitizen, write in the student’s eight- or nine-digit Alien Registration Number (ARN) Precede an eight-digit ARN with a zero Copy of Permanent Registration Card might be requested by the Financial Aid Office 9 8 7 6 54 3 2 1

22. Undocumented Students  if the student is applying to any public college or university, check to see if the student might be eligible for in-state tuition costs  check with colleges and universities to see if institutional financial aid is available  apply for all private scholarships for which the student may be eligible  watch for changes in federal and state laws regarding the eligibility of undocumented or under-documented students  start inquiring in elementary, middle or high school to see if it is possible for younger students to become permanent residents www.maldef.org/pdf/scholarships.pdf www.latinocollegedollars.org www.finaid.org/otheraid/undocumented.phtml NOTE: if the student is undocumented or under-documented

23. Student Marital Status  The student should check his or her marital status as of the date of filing the FAFSA  If the student is married or remarried, he or she will be asked to provide information about his or her spouse

24.  Was the student convicted of the possession or sale of illegal drugs while receiving federal student aid?  All new first time applicants will skip this question. Student Aid Eligibility Drug Convictions

25. Student State of Legal Residence Residency relates to the student’s permanent home state if the student is dependent, the state of legal residence is usually the state in which the custodial parent(s) live State of legal residence is also used to determine eligibility for state grants in the need calculation to determine the appropriate allowance for state and other taxes paid by that state’s residents

26. Grade Level in 2010-2011 When the student begins the 2010-2011 school year, what will be his/her grade level?  Never attended college/1 st year undergraduate  Attended college before/1 st year  2 nd year/sophomore  3 rd year/junior  4 th year/senior  5 th year/other undergraduate  1 st year graduate/professional  Continuing graduate/professional or beyond Grade Level in 2010-2011

27. Degree or Certificate  In the 2010-2011 school year, what degree or certificate will you, the student, be working on?  Some options are: - 1 st bachelor’s degree - Associate degree (occupational or technical program) - Associate degree (general education or transfer program) - Graduate or professional degree Degree or Certificate Objective

28. Student Expected Enrollment Status at the Start of the 2010-2011 Academic Year When the student begins the 2010-2011 school year, what does he/she expect his/her enrollment status to be? - full-time - ¾ time - half-time - less than half-time - don’t know Report the student's enrollment plans for the college he/she is most likely to attend If unsure, report “full-time”

29. Work-study, Loans, and TEACH Program If the student is interested in work-study (student employment), student loans, or the TEACH Program, check all appropriate boxes Indicating interest does not obligate the student to either work or borrow, nor will it cause the student to lose grants and scholarships Not checking work-study and/or loans may restrict some options for limited work-study or loan funds

30. School Selection The student should list the schools he/she is most likely to attend, and then list others to which the student is applying for admission While in the School Selection Section, the student will be asked to enter the federal school code for each school to which he/she wants information sent

31. School Selection The student will be asked to select the housing plan that best describes the type of housing the student expects to have while attending each listed school The choices for housing are: On Campus With Parent Off Campus The student’s choice of housing may affect the amount of financial aid for which he/she is eligible. It is usually more expensive to live on or off campus than with parents or relatives Remember, selecting a housing option is not an application for On Campus housing. Check with the colleges/universities for housing information

32. Student/Spouse Income & Assets  Most common errors of this section include AGI of the student Taxes paid ○ Often the student will list the same amount for AGI as taxes paid so it causes a rejection Net worth of investments ○ Students should not count home family lives in, pensions or life insurance ○ Dependent student includes college savings under their assets, when it should be reported under parents assets.

33. STUDENT DEPENDENCY STATUS

34. Dependency Questions Answering yes to any of the dependency questions found on step three of the FAFSA (Questions 46-58) will deem a student Independent.

36. Dependency Criteria 24 years of Age Question 46: Must be of the age of 24 at the time of filing Marital Status Question 47: Must be married at the time of filing Graduate/Professional Student Question 48: Be a Graduate or Professional student at the time of filing Veteran Question 49-50: Must be a Veteran or currently serving in Active Duty other than training at the time of filing Child or Dependent Question 51 and 52: must support child or dependent 51% or more.

37. Dependency Criteria Orphan Question 53: both parents must be deceased any time since the student turned 13 years of age. Foster Youth Question 53: designates individuals who were in foster care at age of 13 and older even if adopted after that age Ward of the Court Question 53: at any time since the age of 13 is was the student a dependent of granted custody of the court Emancipated Minor Question 56 Minors in Legal Guardianship Minors in Legal Guardianship Question 57

38. Unaccompanied Youth Who Was Homeless (#56,#57,#58)  Individuals that have been verified as an unaccompanied youth who are homeless children or youth who are at risk of homelessness  “ Homeless” means lacking fixed, regular and adequate housing, which includes living in shelters, motels or cars, or temporarily living with other people because you had nowhere else to go.  “ Unaccompanied” means you are not living in the physical custody of your parent or guardian.  “ Youth” means you are 21 years of age or younger or you are still enrolled in high school as of the day you sign this application.

39. Dependency Questions and Verification Although it is not required to verify any of the dependency questions that a student has answered yes to, an FAA may want to consider requesting documentation that supports the students answer if it is the only thing making them independent.

40. Dependency Overrides (revisited)  Any student who answers no to all the dependency questions is dependent even if student is self-supporting FAFSA Questions 46-58 Students who have extenuating circumstances can file a Request for Independent Status

41. Dependency Overrides  None of the following examples merit a dependency override: 1. Parents refuse to contribute to the student's education 2. Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification 3. Parents do not claim student as a dependent for income tax purposes 4. Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency

42. Unsubsidized Loan As of 08-09 If the students parents refuse to provide information on the FAFSA the student potentially receive an Unsubsidized Stafford loan for the yearly dependent loan limit.  This is not a dependency override.

43. PARENT INFORMATION

44. Parent Information  What meets ED’s definition of a “parent” Only Biological, Adoptive and Step-parent’s In case of divorce or separation, provide information about the parent and/or stepparent the student lived with more in the last 12 months What is not considered a “parent” Legal guardians Foster Parents Relative unless they have legally adopted the student

45. Parent E-Mail Address Provide a parent e-mail address that will be valid at least until the student starts college If a parent provides an e-mail address, the FAFSA processor will let the parent know the student’s FAFSA has been processed

46. Parent Information  Most common mistakes Name, SSN or DOB do not match records from Social Security Administration ○ If parents are not US citizens, SSN should be entered in as 9 zeros ○ Parents who are non-citizens still must report income information by converting monetary value into dollars  Not correcting the estimated values with actual figures once taxes are completed.

47. Parental Information cont..  Most common Mistakes Asks for the AGI of the parents Asks for the taxes paid ○ Often the parent will list the same amount for AGI as taxes paid so it causes a rejection Net worth of investments

48. PARENT and Independent Student INFORMATION

49. Dislocated Worker  A person may be considered a dislocated worker if he/she: is receiving unemployment benefits due to being laid off or losing a job and is unlikely to return to a previous occupation has been laid off or received a lay-off notice from a job was self-employed but is now unemployed due to economic conditions or natural disaster is a displaced homemaker

50. Tax Return Filing Status for 2009 Parent tax filing status for 2009: Required to file a 1040 long form 1040 Tax Line items: 7, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, and 40 Determine if they were eligible for a 1040A or EZ

51. Federal Means Test Benefits Indicate if the student, his/her parents, or anyone in the parents’ household received benefits in 2008 or 2009 from any of the federal programs listed:  Supplemental Security Income (SSI)  Food Stamps  Free or Reduced Price School Lunch  TANF  WIC

52. 2009 Additional Financial Information The student will be asked to report if his or her parents received or paid any of the following items in 2009 (check all that apply) - Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits, American Recovery Payment - Child support paid - Taxable earnings from work-study, assistantships, or fellowships - Grants and scholarship aid reported to the IRS - Combat or special combat pay - Cooperative education program earnings

53. 2009 Untaxed Income The student will be asked to report if his or her parents had any untaxed income in 2009. Check all that apply. Some examples of the most common items are:  Payments to tax-deferred pensions and savings plans such as 401Ks, IRA deductions, and payments to self-employed  Child support received  Housing, food and other living allowances paid to members of the military and clergy

54. Assets  Report the current balances of their cash, savings, and checking accounts as of the day they complete the FAFSA  They may also be asked to provide information about the net value of their investments such as real estate, rental property, money market and mutual funds, stocks, bonds and other securities  Questions about the net value of their businesses and investment farms  They should not include the home they live in, the value of life insurance and retirement plans, or the value of a family-owned and controlled small business

55. Regarding Investments  What must be listed as investments 529 plans, Texas Tomorrow Fund, Coverdell savings accounts (educational benefits) Money market fund, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, stock options, stocks, bonds Must list the current market value of the investments as of the day the FAFSA was filed  What is not an investment Home family lives in, life insurance, retirement, pensions, non-education IRAs

56. Household Size Number in Household Include in the household: the student Spouse (if student is married) parent(s) other dependent children, if the student/parent provide more than half support or the children other people, if they now live with the student/parent and will continue to do so from 7/1/10 through 6/30/11, and if the they provide more than half their support now, and will continue to provide support from 7/1/10 through 6/30/11

57. Household Size  For dependent students includes Parents & siblings  For independent students includes Spouse and children  other dependent children, if the student/parent provide more than half support or the children  other people, if they now live with the student/parent and will continue to do so from 7/1/10 through 6/30/11, and if the they provide more than half their support now

58. Number in College  Dependent students Any siblings (including self) under 24 that will attend college during school year ○ Others who count in the number in college if they are or will be enrolled at least ½ time during the award year in an eligible degree or certificate program at a school eligible for Title IV (FSA) programs  Independent students Spouse & children under 24 if attending college

59. Signatures  Dependent students: paper FAFSA Student & one parent must sign paperwork  Dependent students: FAFSA online Student & one parent must submit PIN  Independent students: paper FAFSA Student must sign paperwork  Independent students: FAFSA online Student must submit PIN

60. Special Circumstances Contact the Financial Aid Office if there are circumstances which affect a family’s ability to pay for college such as: Loss or reduction in parent or student income or assets Death or serious illness Natural disasters affecting parent income or assets Unusual medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance Reduction in child support or other untaxed benefits Financial responsibility for elderly grandparents Or any other unusual circumstances that affect a family’s ability to contribute to higher education

61. After FAFSA Submission  CPS will calculate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC)  CPS will send a Student Aid Report (SAR) to student  CPS will send an (ISIR) to the schools listed on the FAFSA  Other documentation and follow – up may be required Verification SAR Comment C-Codes/Flags Rejects

62. What Happens Next? Students and the colleges the student listed receive Student Aid Report (SAR) from federal processor  Students and families review SAR for important information and accuracy of data  Colleges match admission records with financial aid applications and determine aid eligibility  Colleges mail notices of financial aid eligibility to admitted students who have completed all required financial aid forms

63. Student Aid Report (SAR)  After the student completes the FAFSA on the Web, a SAR will be sent to the student An electronic SAR Acknowledgment will be sent if student provides an email address A paper SAR will be mailed if no student e-mail address is provided  An electronic copy of the data will be sent to each college or university listed by the student Institutional Student Information Record ○ ISIR

64. Resources to Help You Along the Way  College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) http://www.nasfaa.org/publications/2007/lndependency110807.html  Special Populations: Tips for completing the FAFSA: http://www.nasfaa.org/PDFs/2010/FAFSAFosterTips.pdf  Providing Effective Financial Assistance to Students from Foster Care and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: http://casey.org/Resources/Publications/pdf/ProvidingEffectiveFinancial Aid.pdf  FSA Conference Presentations Application Processing Updates: http://ifap.ed.gov/presentations/2009FSAConference.html  Complete The FAFSA Step By Step Questions: http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/Completin gtheFAFSA10-11.pdf

65. Questions and Answers