FAFSA 2015-2016

What is FAFSA? Free Application for Federal Student Aid Need-based aid that is based on income

of parent and student the previous year. Four years of eligibility over an 8 year

period. Apply regardless of income!

Why FAFSA?

Federal Financial Aid (Pell Grant) State Financial Aid College/University Aid (work-study,

loans) Required for Twenty-first Century

Scholars each year (even when not attending college)

Required to be considered for AHD, THD, or Core 40 state aid

HCCF give 5 bonus points for filing FAFSA

Twenty-first Century Scholars Must have a 2.5 GPA to qualify Must complete 30-60-90 in college Must file a FAFSA each year whether in

college or not or will lose scholarship May defer up to one year…file FAFSA No affirmation = No money No FAFSA = No money

Step 1

You and your parent must have a PIN (personal identification number) that is used to sign your form online.

www.pin.ed.gov You may both get your PIN now. Don’t lose it! You will use the same PIN

each year you file.

Step 2 Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. FREE Application is available beginning

January 1st. Indiana receipt date is March 10th. You will need 2014 tax information or

use 2013 information to estimate. If you estimate, you will need to put in

updated 2014 information by May 15th.

Avoid Errors! Make sure your social security number

is correct and matches your name on the form.

Make sure you and your parent use your PINs to sign your form.

Follow all directions carefully and answer all questions.

File early especially if applying for HCCF Scholarships.

What parent do I file with?

If your parents are divorced you use the one you live with the majority of the time.

If you have a step-parent, you MUST include their income information.

If your parents are married use both of their incomes.

You MUST use a biological parent’s information unless you are adopted or a ward of the court.

You cannot leave off your parent’s income even if you say “they will not help me pay for my education.”

Financial Aid/Scholarship Night January 15th at NHHS in A233 from 6:30

p.m. – 8:30 p.m. You must attend with a parent to file. You may get assistance with FAFSA –

bring PINs and financial information OR You may get assistance filling out your

HCCF Scholarship application.

College Goal Sunday February 22nd from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00

p.m. IU Southeast in New Albany Crawford County High School Take a parent, PINs and financial

information to file it there There is a help desk if you just want to

ask a quick question

Student Aid Report (SAR) You should receive a confirmation email

within 72 hours of filing. This will give you an estimated family

contribution (EFC) amount. This confirmation is what is to be

uploaded into your HCCF Scholarship application.

What if I chose not to file? Lose Twenty-first Century Scholars

money Lose aid associated with your diploma

type Lose HCCF 5 points If something changes financially, your

college financial aid office can help you easier if FAFSA is already filed.