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FAFSA On The Web Powerpoint Presentation
- 1. Applying for Financial Aid 2012-2013
- 2. Sponsored by: Presented by:
- 15. Another Useful Form - FAFSA on the Web Worksheet The 2012-2013 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet may be used for the January 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013 federal aid application cycle
- 17. FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) The 2012-2013 FAFSA on the Web may be used for the January 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013 federal student aid application cycle
- 19. Section 1 STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS
- 35. Section 2 SCHOOL SELECTION
- 40. Section 3 STUDENT DEPENDENCY STATUS
- 41. Section 3 - Determination of Student Dependency Status
- 43. Section 4 PARENT DEMOGRAPHICS
- 52. Section 5 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- 65. Section 5 STUDENT INFORMATION
- 67. Section 5 – Student Information (Independent Students) There are questions in Section 5 that the student will be asked only if he/she checked at least one response in Section 3 – Dependency Status Dependent Students SKIP THESE QUESTIONS
- 72. 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
- 75. FAFSA Bridge Link to California Application Page Students can easily link to the California Student Aid Commission page (see below) to complete asset information for the Cal Grant and to apply for a Chafee Grant. 2012-2013 California Grant Aid (Cal Grant or Chafee)
Editor's Notes
- Thank you for coming to our California Cash for College workshop. Today, we will be discussing how to apply for financial aid for the 2012- 2013 academic year.
- This session is sponsored by__________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________. Today’s event is also made possible through the cooperation of the wonderful staff here at _______________ (location) My name is ___________________ and I am from____________________ College/University/Agency. Joining me today are my colleagues___________________________________ _______________________________________________________ from_______________________________. (introduce all volunteers) N OTE TO PRESENTERS: Add the sponsor(s) and presenter(s) to the slide.
- At today’s workshop, we will discuss: -the types and sources of financial aid -the financial aid application forms you will need to complete -tips for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - often called the FAFSA - and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. Finally, we will provide you with an opportunity to get individual help in completing your FAFSA on the Web and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. (NOTE TO PRESENTERS: If the presentation site does not have access to computers change these notes. Each of you should have a copy of the 2012-13 Cal Grant GPA Verification Form for use later in this session. If you do not have copies of this form, please raise your hand so we can get them to you. NOTE TO PRESENTERS: If you are distributing the 2012-13 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet in addition to the GPA Verification Form, please adjust the above the statement to reflect that the audience should have two forms. If you decide not to cover the financial aid overview information contained in Slides 4-8, and 10, be sure to hide these slides and adjust the text of this slide (3) to delete the reference to “Types and Sources of Financial Aid.”
- There are three major types of financial aid – grants and scholarships, work-study, and educational loans. Grants and scholarships are gift aid that does not require repayment. Grants are usually based on the student’s financial need. Scholarships are generally based on talent and/or merit. While there are a number of grants and scholarships available to California students, the Cal Grant program is one of the most important and valuable. Cal Grants are an example of gift aid based on need and merit. We will discuss Cal Grants in more detail later in the presentation. Work-study programs provide opportunities for students to earn money to help pay for school expenses. Both students and parents can borrow from a variety of low interest loan programs designed to help with the educational expenses of the student. Student loans usually do not require repayment until the student is no longer in school. Parent loans may require payment while the student is still in school.
- By completing the financial aid applications and any other documents required by the colleges and universities to which the students are applying, they may be considered for funds from: - the federal government - the state government, as well as - colleges and universities themselves Private agencies, companies, foundations, and maybe even the parents’ employers provide scholarships for college; although these sources provide less than 6% of the total financial aid awarded to students. Check with each of the private agencies, companies, and foundations to which the students wish to apply about application forms and deadlines. Web sites such as www.fastweb.com and www.finaid.org are good resources for such scholarships.
- Let’s talk about Cal Grants – an important source of grant funds provided by the state of California for California students. Students planning to attend a California college or university may be eligible to receive one of the following Cal Grants. High school Grade Point Average (usually referred to as the GPA) is an important eligibility criterion for these grants. The Cal Grant GPA is calculated using grades from sophomore and junior years of high school and any summer grades after each of those years. Please note: for purposes of the Cal Grant A and B Entitlement Awards, a “recent high school graduate” is defined as a student who is applying for a Cal Grant within 18 months of high school graduation. Cal Grant A - To be eligible, students need a minimum 3.0 GPA - that is a B average on a 4.0 scale - and must demonstrate financial need of at least $1,500 at the college they plan to attend. Their families must also have income and assets that are lower than the state-established ceilings. This grant currently covers system-wide fees at the California State University and University of California campuses and up to $9,708 of tuition and fees at independent California colleges and universities. The grant may be renewable for three additional years if student and family continue to meet state-established income and asset ceilings. Cal Grant B - This grant is for students who have a minimum 2.0 GPA - that is a C average, financial need of at least $700, and who come from very low-income families. Students must also meet the other criteria mentioned already. This grant provides a small stipend of about $1,551 per year for up to four years to help with living expenses at all schools. In addition, the grant covers system-wide fees at California public 4-year institutions and up to $9,708 of tuition and fees at independent 4-year California schools. In most cases, the tuition and fee portion of the Cal Grant B is available to students in their 2 nd through 4 th years only. Cal Grant C - This grant is for students from low income families attending occupational or vocational schools including community college programs of less than 24 months in length. The Cal Grant C may renewable for one additional year if student and family continue to meet state-established income and asset ceilings. .
- To be eligible for a Cal Grant, the student must also: be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen as defined in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We’ll talk more about what this means later in the session. be a California resident attend an accredited California college or university at least half-time in the 2012-2013 academic year and each term the student is enrolled.
- Here is a brief overview of the residency requirements for the Cal Grants. NOTE: Presenters should review this slide with participants as appropriate based on audience. many presenters may choose to hide this slide since it is technical in nature and use it for reference only.
- In order for a student to be considered for a 2012-2013 Cal Grant, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) requires that he/she submits both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by March 2, 2012. The GPA Verification Form must be completed by the student, certified by the student’s high school, and submitted directly to CSAC. Some high schools submit student grade point averages directly to CSAC on behalf of their students. Others require that students complete the student section of the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. (The student section of the form asks simple information such as the student’s name, address, and Social Security Number). If the paper form is required, it is important to submit it as soon as possible to the high school counselor or registrar because it may take a few days to certify the student’s grade point average. You can download a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form at: www.calgrants.org. The GPA Verification Form must be postmarked no later than March 2, 2012. Check with the student’s high school Counseling Office/Guidance Center to see if he/she needs to submit the paper Cal Grant GPA Verification Form or if the high school will submit the GPA electronically on the student’s behalf. If the high school submits the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form electronically, the student may have to authorize the release of his/her Social Security Number. We urge students to file these forms as soon as possible. Don’t wait for the March 2nd deadline and miss out on a valuable grant that, like other grants, does not have to be repaid.
- If the student is a foster youth, the California Chafee Grant may provide some additional financial aid for college. If you are the foster parent or know a foster youth, tell him/her about this special program for foster children. The California Chafee Grant program provides up to $5,000 annually to current and former foster youth for college or vocational training at any accredited college in the U.S. The continued availability of this grant is dependent on available funding. To be eligible, foster youth must have been in California foster care on their 16th birthday and may not have reached their 22nd birthday before July 1, 2012. Students are encouraged to apply during their senior year of high school. To apply, the foster youth must complete: 2012-13 FAFSA California Chafee Grant Program Application To learn more about the Chafee Grant, go to www.chafee.csac.ca.gov
- There are a number of important financial aid forms: - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required by all colleges and universities for the awarding of federal and state aid. Every student should complete the FAFSA. In some instances, a school may use the FAFSA for institutional aid as well. The FAFSA should be completed by students and their families in electronic format (FAFSA on the Web). We will discuss the FAFSA on the Web in greater detail in just a few minutes. -As previously mentioned, in order to be considered for a Cal Grant, students must also complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form . This form must be certified by their high school and submitted to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by March 2, 2012. -The CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE is used by many private or independent colleges and universities as well as a few public universities outside of California to determine eligibility for their own funds. Some scholarship competitions may also require the CSS PROFILE. -Some colleges or universities may require their own scholarship or financial aid applications in addition to the FAFSA. The additional forms may collect information not requested on the FAFSA (such as medical and dental expenses and special family circumstances). These forms help the institution award its own funds. These forms must be returned to the college or university directly. -As noted earlier, many employers, organizations, and community-based agencies offering scholarships require students to complete separate applications. -Many colleges will request copies of student and parent 2011 federal tax returns and other income documentation. We suggest the student and parents complete their 2011 federal income tax forms as soon as possible. Make sure you keep copies of these forms along with all schedules and W-2’s. -Also be sure to submit any required applications or requested documents by the published deadlines. At many institutions, failure to meet a deadline may jeopardize student eligibility for grants and other types of aid. We cannot emphasize this enough – don’t miss out by missing a deadline.
- It is important to submit the FAFSA as early as possible after January 1, 2012, but no later than March 2, 2012, to be considered for a Cal Grant. Remember, families should report estimated 2011 student and parent income information if their 2011 federal income tax forms have not been completed at the time they submit the FAFSA. There will be plenty of time to make corrections at a later date. The student and at least one parent whose information is reported on the FAFSA must complete and sign the FAFSA. This parent is often referred to as the custodial parent.
- FAFSA on the Web The primary benefit of using FAFSA on the Web is that the processing time is significantly reduced. Students and schools receive a response from the federal processor more quickly, which in turn assists schools in preparing a more timely notification of eligibility for financial aid. (This is a definite advantage if you are trying to decide between two or more schools.) Other benefits are: Fewer errors on the form. Built-in edit checks will not allow the family to go to the next section if something is left incomplete in a prior section. Before submitting the FAFSA, the program will do a final review of the entire application, checking for missing and/or conflicting information. Thanks to skip logic, there are fewer questions to complete. This means that you will not be asked questions that do not apply to you. (Example: unmarried students will not be asked questions about a spouse.) In many cases, drop down boxes are provided so the family can choose from a selection of responses. Families who have submitted their 2011 federal income tax returns may be able to transfer IRS data directly to the FOTW. As soon as the FAFSA on the Web is submitted, a confirmation page can be printed to instantly verify that the application has been submitted. This page will contain a Confirmation Stamp showing the date and time that the FAFSA was successfully submitted. To take full advantage of FAFSA on the Web, remember that both the student and one of his or her custodial parents must have a federal PIN to electronically sign the FOTW.
- Federal PIN The PIN (personal identification number) serves as an electronic signature for U.S. Department of Education documents, including the FAFSA. The PIN works like the special number you might have for an ATM card. It identifies the student or parents as those authorized to file an electronic FAFSA. If the student or parents have not yet applied for a PIN, the student and one custodial parent whose information is required on the FAFSA should go to the PIN website at www.pin.ed.gov . Students and parents can also apply for a PIN when completing the FAFSA on the Web, so don’t be concerned if you have not applied for PINs yet. After applicants (students and one of their parents) provide their names, Social Security numbers, and other information on the PIN web site, the U.S. Department of Education will either - E-mail the student and parent PINs within minutes (if e-mail addresses for each are provided) or - Mail the PIN(s) to the student and his or her parent within two weeks if no e-mail addresses have been provided.
- In our presentation today, we will focus on how to complete the 2012-13 FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) – the online FAFSA. But there is another useful form – the paper FAFSA on the Web Worksheet. While the Worksheet does not have all the questions you will find on the FOTW, it is a good place for students and their families to start the process of applying for federal financial aid.
- Here is a list of records families may need, based on their circumstances, in order to complete the FAFSA. Filling out the FAFSA will be easier and less time-consuming if the student and the family gather these records before going on-line or starting the paper form. Keep in mind that not all families will have all of these records. The student will need : -Student driver’s license (if the student has one); and -Student Alien Registration Card (if the student is an eligible noncitizen) Student and parents will need: - Social Security cards - W-2 forms, records of any money earned in 2011, and records of other taxable income such as unemployment benefits - 2011 federal income tax returns (if completed). Remember, 2011 federal tax returns do not need to be completed to apply for student financial aid. It is more important to submit the FAFSA and other aid applications by the published deadlines using estimated data than to wait until 2011 student and parent tax returns are actually completed. - Records of 2011 untaxed income - Current bank and real estate records - Records of any stocks, bonds, and other investments While this is an optional step, students and their families are encouraged to complete the 2012-13 FOTW Worksheet. For future reference, be sure to keep copies of all financial aid documents used to complete the FAFSA, a copy of the completed FAFSA as well as a copy of the Student Aid Report. Students must reapply each year for financial aid.
- As we have said, today we will talk about FAFSA on the Web (FOTW). To begin completing this online form, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov . One of the first choices you will make is to choose the 2012-13 FAFSA.
- The FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) is a Seven-Section Online Form. Instructions are imbedded on each screen of the online form. Sections shaded dark blue are for students and those shaded purple are for parents Important contact information can be found in the instructions The FOTW consists of the following seven sections: Section 1 - asks for information about the student-- The words “you” and “your” refer to the student applicant. Section 2 - allows the student to have FAFSA data sent to up to ten colleges, universities, and scholarship programs Section 3 - determines whether the student’s parents must provide financial data on the FAFSA Section 4 – collects data about parent household and other parent information Section 5 – collects data about student and parent 2011 taxed and untaxed income and assets Section 6 – asks students (and parents, if applicable) if they want the information on the FOTW submitted electronically using their PINs. In addition, it asks those submitting the FOTW about the accuracy of the data. In submitting the FOTW, the student and parent are agreeing that any financial aid funds received will be used for educational purposes only. Section 7 – allows the student to print a Confirmation page which confirms the submission of the FOTW to the U.S. Department of Education. It also provides other useful information such as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), estimated Pell Grant and Stafford Loan eligibility, as well as listing of the schools to which the FOTW information will be sent.
- Section 1 collects information about the student. The FOTW questions are not numbered, so follow along with the text of the questions. We will not cover every question on the FOTW – just those that may be confusing to students and their parents.
- Student Name: It is important to list the student’s name exactly as it is listed on the student’s Social Security card. The FOTW will ask for the student’s first and last name. For example: report Susan Jones, not Suzie Jones, if Susan is shown on the Social Security card as the first name.
- Student Social Security Number: We encourage students to refer to a copy of their actual Social Security card to help ensure the correct number is reported. A common mistake made by parents is to enter their own number or that of another sibling. - it is important that both pieces of student data (name and SSN) match the Social Security card exactly, because the U.S. Department of Education conducts an electronic match of the student’s name and SSN with the Social Security Administration -To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) or to get a replacement Social Security card, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at (800) 772-1213 or go to their website at www.ssa.gov
- Student Home State On FAFSA on the Web, students will be asked about the state that they list as part of their permanent address. All states consider students who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens to be residents of that state if they have lived there for at least five years. States have varying criteria for determining whether or not the student is a resident for purposes of state financial aid, such as the Cal Grant. California considers the student to be a resident if he/she became a legal resident of the state prior to September 20, 2011. 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 parents live. The state of legal residence is used in the calculation of a student’s financial aid eligibility by determining the appropriate allowance for state and other taxes paid by that state's residents. If the student has lived in the state for less than five years, he/she will be asked to provide the date he/she became a resident of that state.
- Student Marital Status In this question, the student is asked about his/her marital status as of the date the FAFSA is submitted. If the student checks that he or she is currently married or remarried, he/she will be asked to provide other information about his/her spouse when he/she completes the FAFSA on the Web. However, if the student checks that he or she is single, separated, divorced, or widowed, no questions about a spouse will be asked on the FAFSA on the Web. Remember that this question is asking about the student, not the parents.
- Citizenship Status. Students must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens to receive federal student financial aid and Cal Grants. If a student has recently become a U.S. citizen, he/she should contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to update his/her status. Otherwise, when the U.S. Department of Education matches data with SSA, the Agency may report that the student is not a citizen and may be considered ineligible to receive federal and state aid. For financial aid purposes, an eligible noncitizen is someone who meets one of the following criteria: -A U.S. permanent resident with a Permanent Resident Card (I-551),or -A conditional permanent resident with a Conditional Green Card (I-551C), or -Other eligible noncitizen with an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security showing any of the following designations: “Refugee,” “Asylum Granted,” “Parolee” (I-94 confirms paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired), T-Visa holder (T-1, T-2, T-3, etc.) or “Cuban-Haitian Entrant;” or -The holder of a valid certification or eligibility letter from the Department of Health and Human Services showing a designation of “Victim of human trafficking.” - A resident of the Republic of Palau (PW), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (MH), or the Federated States of Micronesia (FM) - A Canadian-born Native American under terms of the Jay Treaty
- Eligible Noncitizen If students indicate “eligible noncitizen,” they should write in their 8- or 9-digit Alien Registration Number. Students should precede an 8-digit number with a zero. Students who list their Alien Registration Number may be asked by the colleges or universities to provide a copy of their Permanent Registration Card. Some recently naturalized citizens may also be asked to provide a copy of their Naturalization documents. It is legal to photocopy these documents for financial aid purposes. Neither Citizen nor Eligible Noncitizen if you are in the U.S. on: A F1 or F2 student visa; A J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa; A G series visa (pertaining to international organizations), or Other categories not included under U.S. citizen and eligible noncitizen you are not eligible for federal student aid. However, you may be eligible for college aid, so you should still consider filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You should check with your college's financial aid office to see what kind of financial aid you may be eligible to receive and what forms you should complete. We will provide information about some free scholarship searches for students in one of these ineligible categories or who are undocumented students in the next slide.
- If the student is undocumented, he/she may qualify for in-state tuition/fee costs through state law (AB 540). The California Dream Act (AB 130 and 131) provides state financial aid and access to private scholarships administered by public college s and universities. Learn more about the Dream Act, go to the California Student Aid Commissions website at www.caldreamact.org. AB 130 – Part 1 CA Dream Act Signed into law on July 25, 2011 Becomes effective January 1, 2012 Allows students who meet AB 540 criteria to apply for & receive non state-funded scholarships at the public colleges and universities, including scholarships funded through private donors, alumni contributions, or individual departmental efforts For information about how and when to apply, AB 540 students must contact their financial aid offices AB 131 – Part 2 CA Dream Act Signed into law on October 8, 2011 Becomes effective January 1, 2013 Allows students who meet AB 540 criteria to Apply for & receive institutional grants like UC Grant, State University Grant, Educational Opportunity Program and Educational Opportunity Program & Services fee waivers Apply for & receive Board of Governors fee waivers at the California Community Colleges Apply for & receive state financial aid, including Cal Grants and Chafee Foster Youth Grant for use at eligible institutions Cal Grant online application (Dream App) will be activated January 1, 2013 to gather financial & other information Dream Act Cal Grants may be first used in the 2013-2014 school year Dream applicants must meet all other Cal Grant requirements For information about how and when to apply for institutional grants and fee waivers, AB 540 students must contact their financial aid offices Students should also: apply for all private scholarships for which they may be eligible For a list of scholarships for undocumented students, go to: www.latinocollegedollars.org or www.finaid.org/otheraid/undocumented.phtml Watch for changes in federal and state laws regarding the eligibility of undocumented students. If parents have younger children, they should start inquiring in elementary, middle or high school to see if it is possible for the students to become permanent residents. For more information, contact the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF): call (213) 629-2512
- Selective Service Registration Male students who are 18 years of age or older must be registered with Selective Service to receive federal and state aid. This information will be confirmed with Selective Service. Some colleges and universities will also require that the student be registered to receive institutional funds. A student should answer “Register me” only if he is: - male; - currently between the ages of 18-25 (on the day the FAFSA is submitted); and - NOT YET REGISTERED with Selective Service and would like the U.S. Department of Education to register the student with Selective Service. If the student is male, but is 17 years of age or younger at the time the FAFSA is submitted, he should leave the question blank. The student must register with Selective Service when he turns 18. He can do this at the Selective Service Web site, www.sss.gov. If the student is unsure if he has registered, he may go to this same site to verify his registration status. The following groups of students should leave this Worksheet question blank: - female students; - male students who are not yet 18 as of the date the FAFSA is submitted; and male students who have already registered. Female students should make sure they did not leave the earlier gender question blank
- High School Completion Status: The student should indicate his/her High School Completion Status as of the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year. Select the appropriate high school completion status High school diploma GED certificate Home schooled. Students who have not earned (or will not earn) a high school equivalency status, should select, “None of the above.”
- Grade Level: If the student is a senior in high school, he/she should indicate “Never attended college/1 st year.” The student should check this answer even if he/she has taken a college class while enrolled in high school.
- Degree or Certificate Objective: The student should answer these questions for the school he or she is most likely to attend. The student should choose his/her most immediate degree objective even if he/she plans to seek an advanced degree (such as a law degree) at a later date. For example, if the student is planning to attend a community college for an Associate degree in history leading to a transfer degree, he/she should select ” Associate degree (general education or transfer program).” If the student is planning to attend a 4-year college in 2012-2013, select “1 st bachelor’s degree.” If the student is unsure of the type of school he/she will attend, select the “1 st bachelor’s degree”.
- First Bachelor’s Degree This question asks students if they will have earned their first bachelor’s degree before July of 2012. Student who have earned an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree are ineligible to receive federal and state grants. Only students who will be pursuing their graduate (e.g. Master’s or Ph.D.) or a professional degree (e.g. MD, Law or MBA) during 2012-13 should answer “yes” to this question.
- Parents’ Educational Level These questions are used for state scholarship purposes and do not affect eligibility for federal student aid. In California, these answers are used to determine Cal Grant B eligibility by measuring a student’s disadvantaged background. Select the highest grade level completed by the student’s father and mother. Father and mother in these questions mean birth or adoptive parents, not legal guardians, stepparents, or foster parents. Note that this definition of parents is unique to these two questions. In addition, some states and colleges use the answers to these questions to determine if the student is the first member of his or her family to attend college. This may make a difference in the type and amount of aid received because some schools offer additional aid to students who are the first in their family to go to college. NOTE TO PRESENTERS: Discuss the difference between “completed” versus “attended.” For example, if the mother completed an AA degree at a community college, she would mark “High school” because she has not completed a four-year college degree program. Also, if parents completed the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree or higher in a foreign country, they must select “College or beyond.”
- Student Aid Eligibility Drug Convictions Student who have never attended college since high school will not be asked any of the Drug Conviction Questions. Students who indicate that they have attended college before will be asked if they have ever received federal student aid. If the answer “yes,” they will be asked if they were convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs. Most students will answer ‘No” to this question and will not be asked any additional questions. Even students who have been convicted of a drug offense while in college and receiving federal financial aid may still be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Simply having a drug conviction does not mean that the student will not be eligible for federal aid.
- High School Question: In this question, students will be asked to provide the name, city and state location of their high school. They will then be asked to confirm that their high school is on the list that is displayed on FOTW. If students do not find their high school name on the list, they should hit the “Next” button. The U.S. Department of Education will share this information with the individual high schools attended by students who complete the FOTW.
- Section 2 allows the student to have FAFSA data sent to up to ten colleges, universities, and scholarship programs.
- School Selection: In Section 2 of the FOTW, students may list up to ten schools to which they want their information sent. If students want to send their information to more than ten schools, they can delete and add schools when they receive their electronic SAR Acknowledgement or paper SAR. First, list the California school the student is most likely to attend, and then list others to which he/she is applying for admission. If the student is awarded a Cal Grant, the student’s award at that college or university will be determined by the California Student Aid Commission. After entering schools on FOTW, the student may change the order of the schools by following the simple directions found in this section. There are some additional features in this section of FOTW that allow students to find more detailed information about each school they list in this section.
- School Selection : Students will need to use a federal school code for each of the schools they list in Section 2. Students can look up their school codes when they are completing this section of the FOTW. Be sure to enter the state where the school is located to make the search for the name of the college or university easier. This will give the student the federal school code. Please note that this code number is different from the SAT, ACT, and CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE code numbers.
- Here are some tips for completing Section 2 — especially if the student is applying for financial aid at more than ten colleges or universities. Students should make sure to list a California college or university first. Then list the schools with the earliest financial aid deadlines, regardless of the state where the schools are located. Students should make sure to include their first and second choice schools. It’s important to keep in mind that the U.S. Department of Education's processor will send data to only ten schools at a time for a student. Students applying to more than ten schools can add additional schools when they receive their processed Student Aid Report (SAR). We strongly recommend that students sending their financial aid information to a large number of schools use FAFSA on the Web and sign the form using PINs. This will make adding additional schools even easier and faster. For example, if the student originally listed ten schools on the application and then replaced all ten with new schools by changing his/her SAR, only the second set of ten schools will get new data from any subsequent corrections made to the FAFSA data. In this case, the student should alert schools in the first group of any changes. Financial aid is awarded by each individual college or university campus. Therefore, each UC and CSU campus to which the student is applying for financial aid must be listed separately in Section 2of the FOTW. For Cal Grant Entitlement purposes, if a student decides to attend a school that is not the first choice listed on the FAFSA, the student should contact the California Student Aid Commission. Later in the presentation, we will provide more information about managing your Cal Grant online.
- Next, students select the housing plan that best describes the type of housing they expect to have while attending each listed college or university. The student selects a planned living arrangement - “On campus,” “With parent,” or “Off campus” for each school listed. The student should list “On campus” if unsure whether he or she will live with parents.
- The questions in Section 2 are used to determine whether the student is considered dependent (for FAFSA filing purposes). If the student is dependent, custodial parent financial information must be provided on the form. Students must answer each of the questions in this section and mark all that apply. Let’s review each of these questions.
- NOTE TO PRESENTERS: At this point, read each of the dependency statements in Section 3 individually. Homeless students are automatically considered to be independent. If you are working with any school homeless liaisons or homeless shelter staff, you should refer them to the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth web site www.naehcy.org/dl/uy_fafsa_verif.doc for a special form they may want to use to verify a student’s homeless status. Colleges and universities may also require such documentation.
- Determination of Student Dependency Status: If none of the statements in this section fit the student’s circumstances, he/she is considered a dependent student and his/her parents will be required to provide information in the Parent Demographics and Financial Information sections. If at least one of the statements matches the student’s circumstances, he/she will be considered independent and will be asked to provide information only for him/her self and for his/her spouse, if married. NOTE : If the student has circumstances that make him/her believe that he/she is independent, then he/she may request special consideration from each college or university by submitting a letter of special circumstance directly to each financial aid office. Appeals are considered on a case-by-case and are decided by each individual college. Not all appeals will be granted. For today’s purpose, we will assume that most students are required to provide parental information and so we will move on to the Parent Demographic section now.
- This section asks questions about the parents whose information is required on the FOTW.
- If the answer to any question in Section 4 is zero, or the question does not apply, the student should enter “0” as shown. Always report whole dollar figures (rounding up or down); ignore any cents. Remember, if the parents whose information is reported on the FAFSA have not yet completed their 2011 federal income tax forms, it is important that they use the best estimates of their total 2011 taxable and untaxed income. W-2’s, final 2011 paycheck stubs, or any other employment or income records may help parents to estimate. Remember, it is OK to use estimated 2011 income information when completing the FAFSA. Parents and students will have opportunities to update estimated income amounts when actual federal tax returns are filed or other documentation becomes available.
- Who is Considered a Parent Before starting this section, listen carefully to help determine who is considered a parent in this section. Students and their parents must answer all the questions in Section 4 as of the date they complete and submit the FOTW. If the biological or adoptive parents are both living and married to each other, answer the questions about both of them. If the parent is widowed or single (that is, never married), answer the questions about that parent. If the widowed or divorced parent is remarried as of the day the FAFSA is submitted, answer the questions about that parent and the person to whom the parent is married (the student’s stepparent). If the parents are divorced or separated, answer the questions about the parent the student lived with more during the past 12 months. If the student lived with both parents equally, submit financial data about the parent who provided the greater amount of support. If that parent is remarried, include stepparent information. The term "parent" is not restricted to biological parents. There are instances (such as when a grandparent legally adopts the applicant) in which a person other than a biological parent is treated as a parent, and in these instances, the parental questions on the application must be answered, since they apply to such an individual (or individuals). An adoptive parent is treated in the same manner as a biological parent on the FAFSA. A stepparent is also treated in the same manner as a biological parent if the stepparent is married, as of the date of application, to the biological parent whose information will be reported on the FAFSA, or if the stepparent has legally adopted the student. There are no exceptions. Prenuptial agreements do not exempt the stepparent from providing required data on the FAFSA. The stepparent's income information for the entire base year 2011 must be reported even if the parent and stepparent were not married until after the start of 2011, but were married prior to the date the FAFSA was submitted. .
- Who is NOT a Parent A foster parent, legal guardian, grandparent or other relatives - such as aunts, uncles, or older siblings - are not considered as parents for purposes of filing a FAFSA unless that person has legally adopted the applicant. If students are in this situation, they should contact the financial aid office at the colleges or universities they are most likely to attend before completing the FAFSA. Again, students should not provide any financial information about foster parent(s) or legal guardians Because a foster child or a child who has a legal guardian is automatically considered an independent student grandparents or other relatives Students living with grandparents or other relatives must attempt to get biological parent information Colleges may consider using professional judgment to make the student independent in rare cases.
- Parents’ Marital Status Report your parents’ marital status as of today Married or remarried Single Divorced or separated Widowed The students “parents “ for all the questions in this section and those that follow are the parents whose information will be provided on the FOTW and meet the definitions of parents we just covered in the previous two slides. If your parents indicated that they are married or remarried, they will be asked the date of their current marriage. If your parents indicated that they are divorced, separated or widowed, they will be asked the date of that status.
- Parent Information If the student is providing father’s/stepfather’s and/or mother’s/stepmother’s information, the student will need those parents’: Social Security Numbers Last names and first initials Dates of Birth
- Parent E-mail Address This question provides students the opportunity to report their parents’ e-mail address. (The address must be able to fit within the box shown on the application.) The address will be used by the U.S. Department of Education, the state, and the colleges listed on the FAFSA to: - correspond with parents - confirm FAFSA data It is important that this e-mail address remain valid through the admission and financial aid application period. AS A SIDE NOTE: Parents may want to consider opening a separate email account to be used just for receiving information from the colleges and universities to which their children are applying.
- Parent Household Size The number of family members in the household directly affects the family’s ability to contribute to the student’s education costs. The following persons should be included in the parents' household size in this question: The student applicant should always be included, even if not currently living with parents Parents (excluding a parent not living in the household as a result of death, separation, or divorce) Parents' other children, if the parents will provide more than half of their support from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013, OR the children could answer "no" to all questions in Section 3 about their dependency (regardless of whether they live with the student’s parents) Other people (aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.) ONLY IF they now live with the student’s parents and will continue to do so from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013, AND the student’s parents provide more than one-half of their support now and will continue to provide more than half of their support from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.
- College Students in the Parent Household: This question asks for the number of household members in the previous question who, in 2012-13, will be enrolled in a college or university. --Always include the student, even if he/she will be enrolled less than half-time --Include others only if they’ll be attending at least half time in a program that leads to a degree or certificate at a college or university eligible to participate in any of the federal student aid programs --Do not include parents --Also do not include a student at a U.S. military academy because the family does not pay for his/her education (i.e., their entire education is paid for) NOTE: The student’s parents cannot be included in the number of family members in college. However, if one or both of the custodial parents will be enrolled in college during the 2012-13 academic year, the family should be advised to contact the colleges to which the student is applying for admission and financial aid. The student should provide these colleges with written information about the reason why the parent is attending college and document the costs involved. The school may choose to recognize those additional family expenses in calculating the student’s eligibility for financial aid.
- This section asks about parent andstudent 2011 taxed and untaxed income as well as the current value of their respective assets.
- Parent s’ Tax Return Filing Status: In this questions, parents will be asked to provide information about their tax filing status for 2011: If the parents have completed a 2011 federal income tax return, the parents should select “Already completed” If they have not as yet filed, but plan to file a 2011 federal income tax return, they should select “Will file” If they have not, nor will not, file a 2011 federal income tax return and are not required to do so, they should select “Not going to file.”
- IRS Data Retrieval This question may allow some parents who have already completed their 2011 federal income tax return to transfer their tax data from the IRS directly to the U.S. Department of Education. Parents will be instructed how to do this in this section of the FOTW. If parent(s) answer “Already completed”, they will be given the option to transfer their 2011 income tax information directly from IRS records. If parents have filed their 2011 taxes electronically less than last two weeks ago or by mail less than eight weeks ago, they may not be able to access IRS data. Some parents, regardless of when they filed their 2011 federal tax returns, will not be able to use this tool. These include those parents who: are married and file separately; filed an amended federal tax return; or filed a Puerto Rican or foreign tax return. .
- Parent 2011 Adjusted Gross Income The next question asks about parents’ 2011 adjusted gross income (AGI). For parents who have not yet completed their 2011 federal tax return, the FOTW site provides an AGI Income Estimator which makes it easy to calculate an estimated AGI. Remember, if custodial parents have not yet filed their 2011 federal tax return, it is fine to use estimated 2011 income information on the FOTW. There will be sufficient time to update this information when the actual 2011 federal tax return is completed. If parents have completed their 2011 federal tax return, they should use actual 2011 tax return information to complete this item – either by using the IRS Data Retrieval process or their actual 2011 federal income tax return. This question asks specifically about parents’ 2011 AGI. That is, the total of all taxable income they will list on their 2011 federal income tax form. This figure includes their wages as well as other taxable income such as interest and dividend income, business and rental property income, unemployment, as well as the taxable portion of pensions, IRA distributions, and Social Security benefits.
- Money Earned from Work by Parents(s) in 2011 These next questions ask about custodial parent earnings from sources such as wages, salaries and tips. These questions must be answered whether or not the parents file a tax return. This information may be on their W-2 forms, or on IRS Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ. Parents who own a business or farm should report any income from these sources here as well so that Social Security taxes paid can be properly calculated. It is important to list earnings correctly, because when the U.S. Department of Education calculates the parents' Expected Family Contribution (EFC), certain allowances are subtracted from the parents' income for required taxes and necessary expenses (such as income and Social Security taxes and basic living costs). The parents' income earned from work will also be used in the EFC calculation as an income factor when no tax form is filed. Note to Presenters : FOTW asks separate questions about mother’s and/or father’s incomes from earnings. These questions are combined on the slide.
- Parent Dislocated Worker The student will be asked if the father/stepfather and/or mother/stepmother is a dislocated worker. A person may be considered a dislocated worker if he or she: is receiving unemployment benefits due to being laid off or losing a job and is unlikely to return to a previous occupation, or has been laid off or received a lay-off notice from a job, or was self-employed but is now unemployed due to economic conditions or natural disaster, or is a displaced homemaker. A displaced homemaker is generally a person who previously provided unpaid services to the family, for example: a stay-at-home mom or dad who is no longer supported by the husband or wife; and is unemployed; and is having trouble finding or upgrading employment. These definitions will be available on FOTW, so don’t worry about remembering all this information
- Parents’ Household 2010 or 2011 Benefits Received Receiving benefits from one of the federal programs listed on the FAFSA affects the way the U.S. Department of Education calculates the parent expected family contribution, or EFC. If the student, the student’s parents, or a member of the parents’ household received benefits from one of the following federal programs in 2010 or 2011, mark all that apply: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Food Stamps or SNAP Free or Reduced Price Lunch Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) None of the above
- Parents’ 2011 U.S. Income Taxes For this important question, parents’ federal income tax for 2011, use U.S. income tax paid (or to be paid ) —not the amount withheld by employers or pre-paid by self-employed parents.
- Parents’ 2011 Tax Exemptions For parents’ exemptions for 2011 be sure to include all persons being claimed as exemptions on the parent 2011 federal tax return, regardless of whether they are included in the parents’ answer to the household size question.
- 2011 Additional Financial Information This Additional Financial Information question asks about information not considered as part of parental income when calculating student need. For example, if either of the custodial parents is paying child support for a child in another household, this amount will be subtracted from the total custodial parent income. The student should check all that apply. Online at FAFSA on the Web, the student may be asked to report his or her parents’ annual 2011 amounts for all boxes checked.
- 2011 Parent Untaxed Income This 2011 Untaxed Income Information section asks questions about untaxed income the custodial parents earned or received. Parents should be sure to include pre-tax contributions they (not employers) have made to 2011 tax deferred pensions, retirement savings plans, IRAs and Keoghs. Additionally, parents should include other untaxed income such as child support received in 2011 for all children (including the student), tax exempt interest income, housing/food and other living allowances as well as any income not reported elsewhere on the form. Some colleges and universities may ask for information about other untaxed income, such as untaxed foreign income. They may also request documentation of any information reported here. The student should check all that apply. Online at FAFSA on the Web, the student may be asked to report his or her parents’ annual 2011 amounts for all boxes checked.
- Parent Asset Information The purpose of collecting asset information is to determine whether the family's assets are substantial enough to support a contribution toward the student’s educational expenses. Only the net asset value is counted in the need analysis. To determine the net value of any asset, first determine the market value of the asset and then subtract the amount of debt owed on the asset. The result is the net value of the asset. Section 5 (Financial Information) asks information about custodial parents’ assets as of the day the FAFSA is actually completed in 2012 . These questions are different than those that ask about 2011 parent income. We’ll talk more about assets in a moment. If the answer to any of these asset questions is $1 million or more, enter $999,999 as shown in the example. If the answer to any question is zero, enter “0.” Applicants should not leave any question blank. Be as accurate as possible in reporting assets. Some financial aid offices may request documentation of reported amounts.
- Parent Assets: Some parents may be asked to provide information about their assets depending on their level of income. An asset is defined as property that has an exchange value. The purpose of collecting asset information is to determine if the family’s assets are substantial enough to support a contribution toward the student’s educational expenses. Assets fall into three categories for the FAFSA on the Web. These are: Cash, savings and checking Investments Business or Investment farm value Cash, savings and checking are liquid funds that parents have as of the day the student and his or her family complete the FAFSA. Investments include some of the following: real estate (other than the parents’ primary home), trust funds, UGMA and UTMA accounts, money market and mutual funds, certificates of deposit, stock and stock options, bonds and other securities, Coverdell Education IRAs, college savings plans including 529(c) plans owned by parents, installment and land sale contracts, and commodities. Business and investments farms include the market value of land, buildings, machinery, equipment, and inventory. Debt means only those debts for which the business/investment farm was used as collateral. Keep in mind that only the net worth (the current value minus debt) of assets should be reported. Remember, parents should not report assets such as the family home, the value of any life insurance, or the value of a family-owned and controlled small business . (A small business is defined as one with 100 or fewer full-time or full-time equivalent employees). And, most importantly, any accumulated funds in retirement accounts such as Roth or traditional IRAs, pension funds, Keogh, 401K, 403B, or other plans should not be reported.
- This section asks about student 2011 taxed and untaxed income as well as the current value of the student’s assets.
- Student Financial Information The student questions in Section 5 concerning student finances are identical to those for the parents we have already covered. We will not review the student income information in this section in any detail. If the student is single, separated, divorced, or widowed as of the date the form is completed, references to “spouse” should be ignored. If the student is married at the time the FOTW is submitted, the spouse’s 2011 income and current value of combined student and spousal assets must be included, even if the student was not married in 2011. How many students here today are considered independent for purposes of completing the FOTW? NOTE TO PRESENTERS: Based on the number of participants in the audience who respond affirmatively to being independent, either have the students see you after the formal presentation or review Slides 67-71 at this point.
- Student Information (Independent Students) This part of Section 5 asks information about those students who checked at least one of the questions in Section 3. Students who answered “No” to all of the questions in Section 2 because none of the statements applied to them, should skip these next questions. NOTE TO PRESENTERS: You may want to use this slide if you are reviewing questions for independent students. If not, skip. .
- Student Household Size (Independent Students) The number of family members in the household directly affects the student’s ability to contribute to his or her education costs. The following persons should be included in student’s household size: The student applicant should always be included The student’s spouse (if the student is married) Student’s children, if the student will provide more than half of their support from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013 Other people (aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.) ONLY IF they now live with the student and will continue to do so from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013, AND the student provides more than one-half of their support now and will continue to provide more than half of their support from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.
- Student Number in College (Independent Students) This question asks the independent student about the number of family members who expect to attend college at least half-time between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013. This number always includes the student. The student should include others who were included in the household size if they will attend college at least half-time and will be enrolled in a degree or certificate program at an accredited college or university.
- Student Dislocated Worker Students will be asked if they or their spouse is a dislocated worker. A person may be considered a dislocated worker if he or she: is receiving unemployment benefits due to being laid off or losing a job and is unlikely to return to a previous occupation, or has been laid off or received a lay-off notice from a job, or was self-employed but is now unemployed due to economic conditions or natural disaster, or is a displaced homemaker. A displaced homemaker is generally a person who previously provided unpaid services to the family, for example: a stay-at-home mom or dad who is no longer supported by the husband or wife; and is unemployed; and and is having trouble finding or upgrading employment. These definitions will be available on FOTW, so don’t worry about remembering all this information
- Student Benefits (Independent Students) Receiving benefits from one of the federal programs listed on the FAFSA affects the way in which the federal processor will calculate the student’s expected family contribution, or EFC. If the Independent Student, the student’s spouse, or a member of the Independent Student’s household (as indicated in earlier question) received benefits from one of the following federal programs in 2010 or 2011, he/she should mark the boxes for all the programs from which benefits were received. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Food Stamps or SNAP Free or Reduced Price School Lunch Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) None of the above
- We have just reviewed the FAFSA on the Web. Students and their families should complete the online FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is important that both students and their parents read the FAFSA on the Web Certification Statement before submitting the FAFSA. They should be sure they understand what they are agreeing to. Students should make sure to fill in the date they and their parents complete the FAFSA. All students (and at least one of their custodial parents, if dependent) must sign the FAFSA. When submitting the FAFSA electronically on the Web, students and at least one of their custodial parents must provide their own individual PINs. Remember, students and their custodial parents can get their PINs at www.pin.ed.gov or when they complete the FOTW . Students and parents should not share their PINs with anyone else. For parents who are ineligible to apply for a PIN because they do not have Social Security Numbers, a paper FAFSA Signature Form can be printed and submitted through the U.S. mail. Students should feel free to contact the financial aid offices at the schools where they are applying for help with the application process. There are a number of individuals who will offer to assist the student and family in completing the FAFSA. Be very cautious about paying anyone a fee to help you complete the FAFSA. Remember, you can do it! And we are here today to provide the free assistance you need to complete the FAFSA.
- Special Circumstances: As mentioned earlier, many families have special circumstances not reflected by the questions on the FAFSA. Families are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office at each of the schools to which they are applying for admission and financial aid if there are significant changes in their circumstances such as: A loss or reduction in parent or student income or assets A death or serious illness Natural disasters that affect parent income or assets – this is especially true for any family adversely affected by the recent California wind storms, wildfires, floods, or mudslides Unusual medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance Reduction in child support or Social Security benefits Financial responsibility for elderly grandparents, or Any other unusual circumstances that affect a family’s ability to contribute to higher education. If the family feels there are special circumstances that may affect their ability to contribute to college, it is important that they present their case in a way that helps the financial aid office understand their unique challenges. Some schools will provide special forms to help the family provide the appropriate new information. Families are encouraged to: Contact the financial aid office for guidance Write a detailed explanation of circumstances Include student’s name, college or university ID#, and date of birth Give specific financial details including the reasons why the circumstances affect the family’s ability to contribute Attach supporting documentation Send to the financial aid office at each school to which the student is applying Each financial aid office will make its own decision about the effect the special circumstances have on a student’s need. Not all aid offices will be able to provide additional funds if there are special circumstances, but they might be able to suggest other options.
- Application Filing Tips Let’s review some application filing tips for the FAFSA on the Web: Gather necessary documents ahead of time so that completing the application is faster and easier. Complete FAFSA on the Web by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Allow ample time to complete the FAFSA for submission by published deadline(s). Don’t wait until the day the application is due. Assume that the electronic deadline is East Coast time, not California time. Check the FOTW for accuracy prior to submission. Save your work often. We all know how frustrating it is to work on something electronically and lose it because we have not saved it. Sign the application using the student’s and one custodial parent’s PINs. Print out a copy of the FOTW before submitting data electronically. Print and keep a copy of the Submission Confirmation Page for your financial aid file.
- Click here if you want to apply for California grant aid (Cal Grant or Chafee) The FAFSA Bridge links California students who have completed a FAFSA to the California Student Aid Commission website, at the time of FAFSA completion. Students must select the Optional feature at the FAFSA Confirmation Page At the State page, students can provide asset information that will be used in processing their Cal Grant application. Foster youth can apply for a Chafee Grant at this site. Students can receive Loan Assumption program information (APLE)
- What Happens Next: Within two weeks after filing the FAFSA, the student should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor. The SAR summarizes the information the family provided on the FAFSA. Each school listed on the SAR will also receive the information electronically. If the student does not receive the SAR within three weeks, he/she should contact the federal processor to check on the status of the FAFSA. Call 1-800-4-FED AID (that’s 1-800-433-3243) or check on the status of your FAFSA by going to FAFSA on the Web and using your PIN. When the California Student Aid Commission evaluates the student’s FAFSA and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form, the student will receive a California Aid Report (CAR) that will provide the student with information about his/her Cal Grant eligibility. Once each school receives the electronic SAR and all other required financial aid forms, and confirms the student’s admission status, the financial aid office will determine the student’s financial aid eligibility. Some schools may request that the student submit income documentation such as student and parent 2011 federal income tax returns, including W-2s and all schedules and attachments, before sending the student a final determination of eligibility. The school will use this and any other requested information to verify the accuracy of the data provided on the FAFSA. Schools understand that many families have used estimated data. A financial aid notification (commonly referred to as an award letter) describing the amounts and sources of aid the student has been awarded will be prepared for the student when the student’s financial aid application is complete. Most schools will wait until the student has been accepted for admission to notify him or her about financial aid eligibility. Some schools will mail a paper financial aid award to the student; others may provide the award electronically. In some cases, the student will be required to sign and return a copy of the financial aid award notification, indicating whether he/she accepts or declines each source of aid. If family circumstances change after the student completes the FAFSA and other required financial aid documents , make sure to contact the financial aid office at each school as soon as possible.
- Student Aid Report (SAR) Now, let’s look at the Student Aid Report. A SAR Acknowledgment will be sent electronically if the student provides an e-mail address on the FAFSA on the Web. If the student does not provide an e-mail address, a paper SAR will be mailed to the student at the address entered on the FAFSA. The student can make corrections on the electronic or paper SAR as well as add additional colleges that will then be sent the student’s information. Each college or university the student lists in Section 1 on the FAFSA will receive an Institutional Student Information Report or “ISIR.” This is an electronic record of all the information the family reported on the FAFSA. Students should make sure to keep a copy of the SAR with the rest of their financial aid documents. Private scholarship agencies may require a copy of the SAR as part of their application materials.
- Federal Verification In order to assure that information provided by students and parents is accurate, the U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to verify the accuracy of financial and other demographic information provided on the FAFSA. Verification of FAFSA data helps colleges and universities accurately and equitably determine the types and amounts of federal funding students will receive. If selected for verification, the tax information of federal tax filers will be verified through The IRS Data Retrieval Process, or IRS Tax transcript if requested by the college or university Non-Tax filers selected for verification may be asked to provide Signed statement confirming that they did not file a federal tax return and were not required by IRS to do so Copies of W-2s from each employer, if any income earned from work. All selected aid applicants will also be asked to verify certain demographic data listed such as Household size and number in college Child Support paid and Food Stamps/SNAP, if reported on the FAFSA Some colleges and universities may require the verification of additional information for determining eligibility for state and their own student aid funds.
- Check Your Cal Grant Students are encouraged to open a WebGrants account to manage their Cal Grant. After doing so, they can - Check their Cal Grant application and award status 24/7 - Make changes to their Cal Grant school choices - View how much a Cal Grant is worth at different California colleges and universities as well as - See their Cal Grant payment history In addition, they can click on links to other financial aid information and web sites. Students can sign up at: webgrants4students.org
- Summary of the Financial Aid Process Let’s now recap the steps involved in applying for financial aid: Colleges and universities may have their own deadline dates for applying for financial aid. Make sure you know what those dates are and what financial aid forms and documents are required. To make sure students are considered for Cal Grants, as soon as possible after January 1, 2012, but no later than March 2, 2012, they should submit both: the FAFSA, and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. Students should keep a copy of all forms they submit and copies of all documentation used to complete those forms. Review the electronic SAR Acknowledgement or paper Student Aid Report (SAR) Review the California Aid Report (CAR) which provides information about the student’s Cal Grant eligibility. After students have been admitted to one or more colleges, watch for financial aid award notifications. These notifications are sometimes called financial aid awards or packages and will list the grant, scholarship, work-study and loan amounts the student might be eligible to receive. Remember, students must reapply for financial aid each year. Applying for financial aid by all published deadlines assures that the student is considered for the maximum amount of financial aid. Remember, meet all deadlines. Don’t miss out on any financial aid opportunities! ASK QUESTIONS! If you do not understand what to do next, or what is required of you – be sure to ask for help! Note to Presenters: Remind the group that students should file all their financial aid forms by each college’s published deadline or March 2, 2012 – whichever date comes first.
- If You Need Help at Any Time The U.S. Department of Education is always willing to provide assistance to students and families completing the FAFSA and to answer questions relating to federal financial aid. The FOTW has help buttons right on the electronic form as you go through the application. In addition, you can use the following: FAFSA on the Web – Live Help; Phone 1-800-4-FED-AID (that’s 1-800-433-3243); or E-mail the U.S. Department of Education at: FederalStudentAidCustomerService@ed.gov
- Questions and Answers We hope you have found this workshop helpful. We will now be glad to answer any general questions you and your family might have. After a brief question and answer period, volunteers will be available to help you complete the 2012-13 FAFSA on the Web, the 2012-13 Cal Grant GPA Verification Forms, and answer any questions about other financial aid documents.