Have you completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?  Seniors should complete this application and submit it to the U.S. Department of Education to determine eligibility for federal student aid.  The majority of colleges and universities also use this form as part of their application process for non-federal aid.  If you are being considered for an athletic or academic scholarship, you must complete this application.

Approximately two-to-four weeks after the FAFSA is submitted on-line or six-to-eight weeks after the FAFSA is submitted on paper, you will receive a student Aid Report (SAR) from the Department of Education. 

The SAR indicates the amount of money that a family is expected to contribute to a student’s education. The amount, termed EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is based on family earnings, net assets, savings, size of the family and number of students in college. The minimum amount that a family is expected to contribute is located on the upper right side of the SAR next to the letters EFC. College financial aid administrators use this number to calculate your financial aid package. 

Once the FAFSA is finalized, contact the college you plan to attend to determine whether additional financial aid forms need to be completed.  Some private schools require the CSS/PROFILE, a customized financial aid application that collects additional financial data. 

Special notice to parents:  very few seniors have applied for any of the scholarships we have advertised. 

The first and most important step in applying for financial aid to complete the FAFSA.  There is no charge for using this form to apply for federal student financial assistance.  This form is required at state schools for financial aid and athletic and academic scholarships.  The FAFSA is available in two formats: paper and electronic.  The hard copy or paper FAFSA is available in the CHHS counseling office, local libraries or from any college financial aid office.

The electronic FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) is an Internet application that offers distinct advantages:  

• It is easy to use
• There is no software to download or install; and
• Students and use any type of personal computer.

The electronic FAFSA has built-in edits that help applicants detect and correct errors before transmitting data.  This significantly reduces the number of applications rejected due to errors.  When applying with the FAFSA on the Web, the student is required to print, sign and mail a signature page.  After transmitting an application, students can mail their signed signature paper to the FAFSA processor to complete the application process.  The FAFSA on the Web allows both students and parents to “electronically sign” if they have Personal Identification Numbers or PINs.  A PIN can be obtained at www.pin.ed.gov. Once the signature page is received, a Student Aid Report (SAR) is mailed to the student.  This usually takes two weeks when the application is done electronically and four to eight weeks when done on “paper.” 

 Items you will need to complete your FAFSA:

• Social Security Card and driver’s license

• Parent’s Social Security Number

• Your income tax return (it is quicker to use last year’s and then submit corrections)

• Your parent’s income tax return (see above)

• Your W-2 forms

• Your parent’s W-2 forms

• Records of untaxed income received such as Social Security, veteran’s benefits, or TANF

• Current bank statements and records of stocks, bonds and investments

• Business or farm records

• Your alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. Citizen)