DEADLINES for FAFSA forms
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines eligibility for federal grants, state grants, many scholarship, student loans and work-study programs. This is a critical application for all those going to college. Income tax information will be required for this application. Go to
www.pheaa.org/fafsa or www.fafsa.ed.gov to the applications. The FAFSA application can be done online.
There are 3 deadlines to consider. All require the FAFSA application.
- The FAFSA application itself is not due until June 30. However, if you wait until this deadline, most of the assistance will already be gone.
- The STATE deadline for PA State Grants (awarded through FAFSA info) is May 1. (Note: each state has its own deadline - check here for the deadline information if other than PA: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/deadlines.htm#)
- Many colleges have their own deadlines for the FAFSA forms - which are often MUCH earlier than even the May 1 state deadline. Some colleges have deadlines of Feb 15 or even earlier!
Students can still apply for FAFSA and/or state grants if they miss the school-imposed deadline. HOWEVER, certain forms of aid (such as work-study programs) may no longer be available. And with state budgets being slashed with the tough economy - financial aid is often one of the items that can be cut. One other reminder - the sooner you apply for finanical aid - the sooner your college will let you know what aid is available, so you'll be better able to determine if you want to accept the school's offer in time to meet their acceptance deadline!
PAY ATTENTION TO ALL DEADLINES.
THE EARLIER TO APPLY - THE BETTER THE CHANCE YOU'LL GET ASSISTANCE!
What is the FAFSA?
The federal government's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provides us with complete, consistent financial data analyzed within policy established by the government. The federal government does not award financial aid; individual schools do, based on the analysis of information provided by you on this form. Many institutions use your FAFSA to award non-federal aid, including state or institutional aid. Some frequently asked questions are below:
What is the deadline for your FAFSA application?
You can not submit your FAFSA application until January 1 each year. The official deadline for FAFSA is June 30. HOWEVER each college sets its own deadline which is often MUCH earlier. If you miss this school deadline – you can miss the opportunity to get additional aid from your college.
The final FAFSA must have your current year tax information, but if you don't have your taxes finished when you first turn in your FAFSA - you can still submit an estimated FAFSA (using your prior year tax information). If you submit the estimated FAFSA - be sure to get the completed one done before the final June 30 deadline.
How do I find out my college's deadline for FAFSA?
Go to your college/university website. Under admissions/financial aid locate the college priority filing deadline for FASFA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In that same location – you should also determine whether your college/university uses the CSS Profile for purposes of awarding other scholarship funds. FILING BEFORE THE PRIORITY DEADLINE IS CRITICAL, EVEN IF YOU NEED TO ESTIMATE PRIOR YEAR INCOME.
Does it cost any money to apply for FAFSA?
No, the FAFSA application is free.
What will I need in order to file?
- Your federal tax return (include spouse if married)
- Your W-2s
- Your parents' federal tax return (if you are dependent)
- Your parents' W-2s (if you are dependent)
- FAFSA form if you are filing on paper
- Pin number for electronic signature if you're filing electronically (both the student and parent need pins - and you need to get these in advance of completing the FAFSA).
- Records of any other income received (welfare, social security, child support, VA Benefits, etc.)
- Current balances of checking and saving accounts and other investments
- Business/farm records (if applicable)
- Alien Registration Card if not a US citizen
How do I apply for FAFSA?
First you have to obtain a pin number for the student and the student’s parents. This number will enable you to file for federal financial aid on-line. A social security number is necessary. Go to www.pin.ed.gov.
- Identify the institution’s id code to be used in FASFA application.
- To complete FASFA application, you will need most recent tax return for parents and student if applicable, and current bank balances-cash, checking and savings.
- To complete the FASFA go to www.fafsa.ed.gov It is strongly recommended that you file on-line. Make sure you receive on-line confirmation that the application was submitted.
- When asked in FASFA application if you want to apply for PHEAA- answer yes. From the FASFA confirmation page look for “optional feature”- start your state application to apply for PA state based financial aid.
How will I know that my FAFSA has been processed?
You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) generated from the information you provided on the FAFSA from the federal government. Within seven to ten days after you receive the SAR, FAFSA will receive the same information electronically. Keep the SAR for your records or a copy of the SAR if you must submit corections.
Can I apply for aid if I haven't yet completed my taxes?
YES, you SHOULD complete the FAFSA using estimated income ASAP so you beat all the early deadlines. FAFSA will request a copy of your completed tax form, all associated schedules and W-2s at a later date. (These need to be done by the official June 30 deadline.)
My parents aren't helping me pay for college. Can I be considered independent?
Even if your parents don't contribute money toward your education, you are considered a dependent of your parents unless you:
- Will be 24 years old before January 1 of the academic year, (for example, 24 years old before January 1, 1984, for the 2007-08 academic year;
- Are an orphan or were a ward of the court until age 18;
- Are a veteran;
- Currently serve on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training;
- Will be working on a master's or doctorate program or graduate certificate;
- Are married; or
- Have a legal dependent other than a spouse that you support more than 50%.
See the FAFSA application if you have a legal guardianship, if a court has declared you an emancipated minor, or if you have been considered an unaccompanied youth or homeless.
I have completed and submitted the FAFSA; what happens next?
You will receive confirmation that your FAFSA data has been processed in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR). The school(s) listed on your SAR will notify the student if any other information is required to complete the financial aid process. The school will determine your eligibility for financial aid and notify you in writing or electronically. The notification you receive is commonly known as an Award Letter or Notification of Financial Aid Eligibility.
Should I wait until after I have been admitted to file financial aid forms?
No! You should list any colleges to which you have applied on the financial aid form, even though you haven't been admitted yet. If you submit your FAFSA by mail, there is a turnaround time of four to five weeks after you mail the FAFSA before colleges receive your information from the federal processing center. (If you submit your FAFSA electronically, the turnaround time is two to three weeks.) If you wait until you are admitted, you may not receive an award letter until much later. Since grant funds are limited at most institutions, consideration for aid is given first to those whose documents are submitted within the appropriate time frame.
I'm going to be married during the school year for which I am applying for aid. Can I fill out my FAFSA as "married"?
No. You must indicate your marital status as of the date you are completing the FAFSA. You cannot update your marital status once you have filed your FAFSA.
If my parents are divorced or separated, whose financial data should be used when I'm completing the FAFSA?
If your natural parents are separated or divorced, use the natural parent with whom you lived the most in the past 12 months. If you lived with neither parent, or lived with each parent an equal number of days, use the parent that provided the most financial support to you over the past 12 months. If that parent has remarried, you must also include the stepparent's financial information on the application, and parent and stepparent should report themselves as married on the FAFSA.
Example:
You have been living with your mother and stepfather for the past 12 months. You would use your mother's income and stepfather's income, and you would report on the FAFSA as the number in family: yourself, your mother, your stepfather, and any other children that they support. You also would report your mother's marital status as married.
Can an adult apply for FAFSA support?
If an adult is interested in going back to school but needs some help with the expenses, he/she is perfectly able to apply to FAFSA for support, just the same as an 18 year old would apply. He would apply as an independent so there would be no reason for “parent information” on the application.
Can I call FAFSA if I have a question?
If you’d prefer to call to ask a question to FAFSA – call 1-800-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243), Monday through Friday – 8am-midnight; Saturdays 9am-6pm.
