FAFSA Information
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is the form that determines your financial aid from the government and most colleges.
Who should be filling out the FAFSA Application?
This application is done your Senior year and should be done by the student with your parent / guardians help. The portion where the parent / guardian place their information is in the parent / guardian section and some of the financial section.
Why should I fill out the FAFSA Application?
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All Seniors should submit a FAFSA. The FAFSA is needed by College’s in order to determine what financial aid you’ll be receiving. From grants, low-interest loans, to work study, this is how you qualify for these programs. This is also a required for the completion of your Senior Capstone Project.
- Additionally, Community College’s require FAFSA for their first (and sometimes second) year tuition-free programs.
When should I begin my FAFSA?
The application opens December 1st and Seniors should submit their application early so you maximize the potential aid you can receive. The priority deadline for maximum aid consideration is March 2nd.
What can be done prior to October 1st is your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID), which one is required for both the student and a separate ID for one of your parents / guardians. Visit fsaid.ed.gov to start this.
It is recommended to do this before your FAFSA Application as when you begin your application, most of the information used to create your ID will be imported in, saving you time.
What will be needed to complete the FAFSA Application:
- A Federal Student Aid ID (For both Student & One Parent)
- Parent & Student need to each create their own
- To create these visit fsaid.ed.gov - This can be done before December
- Student’s Social Security Number
- Parents 2022 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)
Where is the Application?
Visit: Fafsa.gov
If this is your first time here, click “Start a New Application”
Important miss-steps that can be made while doing your FAFSA:
- Make sure you are doing the correct FAFSA Application (Ex: Class of 2024 would do 24-25 FAFSA.)
- DO Not use your School email for FAFSA, you will be needing to access FAFSA later, long after you graduate and your email account is eventually deactivated.
- Make sure you (the student) put in your full legal name and social security # in correctly.
- When selecting High School, enter San Lorenzo Valley High School (Not San Lorenzo High School).
- Enter all information before submitting the application.
- At the end of the application is where you sign with your FSA ID, if you do not sign this, a paper copy will need to be mailed to you to be signed (and this will delay your application).
- Do Not Submit Multiple FAFSA Applications as this will delay the process. You can edit the FAFSA you submit by logging in and making changes – Be sure to submit your FAFSA again after making any alterations.
First, try and utilize the following online resource found here. This website includes a number you can call for specific questions.
If you are still having trouble, email Charlotte Achen at [email protected] with your question.