Financial Aid Guide

   Application Process

1. Create an FSA ID so you can submit and sign your FAFSA online.

• The FSA ID is a username and password combination you use to log in to U.S. Department of Education (ED) online systems.
• Both parent and student need to create an FSA ID.
• If you have an older sibling that attended college your parent already has an FSA ID and will have to use those credentials.

2. Complete the FAFSA and submit as soon as possible starting October 1. Apply online at fafsa.gov
3. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) to find your family’s EFC. Make corrections and resubmit if necessary.
4. If selected for verification, turn in documentation that your financial aid office needs for completion.

   Step 1: Create FSA ID

• Go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account to create your FSA ID.
• Create a memorable username and password then enter your email address.
• Enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, contact information, and answer challenge questions. *you will need this log-in each year.
• Review your information and read and accept the terms and conditions.
• (1) Confirm your email address using the secure code, which will be sent to the email address that you entered when you created your FSA ID. Once you verify your email address, you can use it instead of your username to log in to complete your FAFSA OR (2) Confirm your cell phone number using the secure code, which will be texted to the number provided.

(Providing a mobile number will give you access to make it easier to log in to ED online systems, unlock your account, retrieve your forgotten username, or reset your password.)

    Step 2: Apply for FAFSA

        What you will need:

• Email address or mobile phone number.
• FSA ID for both the student and the dependent student’s parent/stepparent.
• Your Social Security number.
• Your alien registration number (if you are not a U.S. citizen.)
• Your 2020 federal income tax returns, W-2’s, and other records of money earned.
• Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable).
• Records of untaxed income (if applicable).
• Parents’ date of birth, Social Security number, marital status, and date parent was married, divorced, separated, or widowed.

   Steps to take:

1. Go to fafsa.gov and login using your FSA ID.

• Applying online is quicker, easier and ensures your information will be saved for next year. Don’t forget, you will need to fill out a FAFSA every school year to be eligible for federal funds.

2. Enter personal information.

• Make sure everything you enter is exactly how it appears on official government documents.

3. Enter your financial information.

• The IRS Data Retrieval Tool can transfer your tax data to your application automatically.

4. Choose up to 10 colleges/universities.

• Be sure to include schools you are seriously considering, whether you’ve applied or have been accepted yet. You will get an estimate of your financial aid eligibility.

5. Review information and submit.

• Check the status immediately after submitting your FAFSA. You’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) within three weeks. Check it to make sure there are no mistakes. Make sure you receive a confirmation page indicating your FAFSA has been submitted successfully.