FAFSAFree Application for Federal Student

Aidwww.fafsa.ed.gov

Applying for Federal Aid• It’s free – don’t pay someone to do it for you!• If you don’t know how, gather your

documents and go to the financial aid office at National Park College – they will file the FAFSA for you for FREE

• Get it done as quickly as possible, after your parents have completed their 2015 tax return

Who completes a FAFSA?Every High School Senior going to college, or thinking

about going to college!

• If you are going to college in Arkansas and want to get the Arkansas Academic Challenge, Governor’s Distinguished Scholars, or GO! Grant, you must complete the FAFSA.

• If you are going to a private college, you need to complete the FAFSA, regardless of whether or not you may qualify for federal grant money.

• If you may need a loan for college, you need to complete the FAFSA.

What kind of aid comes from FAFSA?

• Federal Grants (Pell grants), if you are eligible• State Grant (in Arkansas, it’s called the GO!

Grant), if you are eligible• Work Study• Loans for college

When do I file the FAFSA?• Between January 1st and June 1st

• You will file a FAFSA each year you attend college

• Be sure to file the 2016-17 FAFSA

How do I file a FAFSA?• It is filed on the web – no paper application!• You and your parent(s) must submit income

information that comes from your 2015 income tax return.

• Even if your parents, or you, are not going to file an income tax return in 2015, you must still provide income information on the FAFSA.

• If you don’t file the FAFSA, you will NOT receive the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship!

FAFSA on the Web

FSA ID• The first thing you must do is apply for a FSA

ID.

• You and ONE parent must apply for a FSA ID

• When you have completed your FAFSA and are ready to submit it, you will “sign” it with your FSA ID.

FSA ID

FSA ID

FSA ID, cont’d

Get your FSA ID NOW!

Can I file the FAFSA by myself, as an independent?

Only if you:• Are Active duty military, serving in the armed forces• Are a ward of the court since turning 13• Are married and not supported by your parents• Are living in foster care since turning 13• Have a child for whom you provide more than half of its support• Have a legal guardian and do not live with a parent• Live with your grandparents or other guardian who has not

ADOPTED you.• Are homeless – live with friends, neighbors, in a shelter, etc.

What if . . . ?• I live with my single parent – You and your one

parent will complete the FAFSA with the income that you have for 2015

• I live with my mom and step-dad – You will file with your mom and step-dad, including both their incomes and yours, if you had any

• I live with my grandparents – You will file as an independent, and only your income will be included on the FAFSA. If you didn’t have any, you must put in zeros.

What if . . . ?• My parents are divorced, and neither has

remarried. I spend half time with mom, half time with dad – File the FAFSA with the parent who has the lesser income. It’s perfectly legal, and it doesn’t matter which parent claims you as a dependent on their 2015 tax return.

Is the any kind of guide I can use to help me with the FAFSA?

Yes – FAFSA on the Web Worksheet, available today and in Mrs. Stratton’s office.It’s NOT the FAFSA – do not mail it!! It’s just a worksheet.

What is that website again?

fafsa.ed.gov

Have Questions?E-mail me by nextTuesday, and I’ll answerthem innext week’sCAPSsession!!

peggy_stratton@lakesidesd.org