The Counselor's
Office
FAFSA Information
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is a form that can be filled out on-line or on paper using your current year's income tax information to see if you are eligible to receive government money to fhelp und your college expenses.
How do I get the forms?
Visit your school counselor's office in January of your senior year or go on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. I recommend that you get the paper copy first and practice filling it in before you go on-line. Filling out the on-line application can speed up processing time by a couple of weeks.
What information do I need to have to fill out the forms?
You need to have your W-2's from your and your parents' jobs. You should also know what colleges (2 yar, 4 year, technical) you plan to apply to because they need to be listed on the form.
What are the qualifications needed to be is eligible to receive federal student aid?
1) be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen with a valid Social Security number
2) have a high school diploma, GED, pass an approved ability-to-benefit test, or be a
homeschooled student who meets certain criteria
3) enroll as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate
4) be registered for the Selective Service, if required
What are the deadlines to submit my FAFSA form?
Forms must be received no later than June 30, 2004 for the 2003-2004 college year. States and colleges may have their own deadlines. It is the student's responsibiltiy to find out and meet those deadlines.
What happens after I file my FAFSA form?
One to four weeks after you submit your FAFSA you will receive a SAR (Student Aid Report) confirming the information you reported on your FAFSA and it will tell you your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If any information on the SAR is incorrect, make the necessary corrections and return it in the envelope provided or enter them on-line.
The colleges you listed on your FAFSA will also be sent your EFC and will use this information to determine what kind and amount of financial aid package they wish to offer you if you plan to attend their institution.
Colleges will mail you a financial package (letter) in the spring that you may either accept or reject by a stated deadline. This package may contain any or all of the following - grants (does not have to repaid), loans (does have to be paid back with interest), and work study.
Misconceptions about Federal Financial Aid
"There isn't enough federal financial aid money for students like me."
While there is a limit to the amount of money available, it is important to apply and find out just how much you are eligible for at the particular school of your choice. If you don't apply you don't know what is truly available for you.
"My parents make too much money for me to get federal financial aid."
Financial aid packages from colleges are based on the difference between your EFC and the cost of attending that college. You do not know what kind and how much federal financial aid you qualify for until you receive the financial aid package from the colleges of your choice.
"Only students with good grades get financial aid."
Most Federal student aid programs do not take a student's grades into account. Provided a student maintains satisfactory academic progress in college federal student aid will continue to help a student with an average academic record complete his education.
"You have to be a minority to get financial aid."
False. Funds from the federal student aid programs are awarded based on financial need, not on the basis of race or creed. The application form doesn't even collect this kind of information about an applicant.
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