Welcome to FAFSA Financial Aid!

How does the FAFSA process work? In order to apply for Federal Student Aid, you must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA has seven steps that ask about you, your school plans and your financial information.

1. Complete and sign the FAFSA.
2. Within 5 days they will process your FAFSA and send you a Student Aid Report (SAR).
3. Review the SAR to check for errors. The SAR will summarize the data you report on your FAFSA.
4. Keep a copy of your SAR.
5. View your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If your FAFSA information is complete, an EFC will appear in the upper right corner of your SAR. Your EFC is based on the financial information you provide on the FAFSA.
6. Check with your school. Your school will use your EFC to award your financial aid.
7. For additional help filling out the FAFSA, visit a FAFSA website.

Remember, the FAFSA is a completely FREE application. If you need help filling it out, there are many free tools available to help you. You don’t need to pay anyone to help you fill out your FAFSA. Learn more about the FAFSA.

What does FAFSA Mean? FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Why is FAFSA important to me? If you are planning on furthering your education by attending college, you may need financial assistance. FAFSA was created by the U.S. Department of Education in order to provide you with a free and easy way to apply for federal financial aid.

How do I apply? There are two ways to fill out the FAFSA form. The easiest and quickest way is to submit your application online with FAFSA On The Web. The second way is to submit a paper application by either picking a form up at your college financial office or download a PDF form, print it, fill it out and mail the form.

Do I have to worry about any FAFSA Deadlines? Yes, there are deadlines. For the 2008-2009 school year you have to have your FAFSA on the Web Applications completed by midnight Centeral Daylight time on June 30, 2009. State deadlines are normally much earlier than Federal deadlines. You will need to check for those dates.

As with all financial matters, don't wait until the last minute to fill out your application. Do your research, start gathering the appropriate financial information and submit your application BEFORE the deadline!

What is dependency status? For FAFSA financial aid purposes, your dependency status determines whether your parents' information must be included on the FAFSA and whether you or your parents have primary responsibility for educational expenses. Essentially, you will be classified as either dependent or indpendent.

If your status is dependent: Both you and your parents must complete the FAFSA and you are jointly responsible for your educational expenses.

If your status is independent: Only you, and if married, your spouse, complete the FAFSA. You alone are responsible for paying your educational expenses.

To determine your dependency status use the FAFSA Dependency Worksheet.

Are there any other FAFSA worksheets that I can use? Yes, in addition to the FAFSA Dependency Worksheet, you can download FAFSA worksheets for estimating your income, your parents income, and the complete FAFSA on the Web Worksheet. This worksheet allows you to read and complete the questions before entering your information online. The questions are listed in the same order that they appear on the Web site.

What information do I need before I fill out the FAFSA application?
Your Social Security Number.
Your driver's license (if any)
Your 2007 W-2 Forms and other records of money earned
Your (and your spouse´s, if you are married) 2007 Federal Income Tax Return - IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ or Foreign Tax Return, or Tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federal States of Micronesia, or Palau.
Your Parents´ 2007 Federal Income Tax return (if you are a dependent student)
Your 2007 untaxed income records - Social Security, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Welfare or
Veterans benefits records.
Your current bank statements
Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records
Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

Do you have a drug conviction? You might not be able to receive federal student aid if you have been convicted of selling or possessing illegal drugs, if the drug offense for which you were convicted occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (grants, loans, and /or work study).

If you have been convicted in the past, this does not automatically mean that you are ineligible for federal student aid. There is a drug conviction FAFSA worksheet will help you determine your eligibility.

You should complete and submit your FAFSA even if you are not eligible for federal student aid. You may be eligible for financial aid from other sources.