Wednesday, January 4, 2012

FAFSA, CSS Profile and Financial Aid

Welcome back! 

On January 1st, the FAFSA form became available to fill out for students attending college next school year (2012-2013).  To qualify for financial aid, you must complete this form by the specified deadline that each college requires. 

Colleges use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid they can award based on the need of each family that applies.  After reviewing the data received for each student, the financial aid office will prepare a financial aid offer.  

If you need assistance in filling out this form please contact Ms. Goldthwaite to make an appointment.  She has experience working with families to assist in completing the FAFSA, CSS Profile and institutional forms.  All information covered in these meetings are confidential.  Below you will find the list of necessary items needed to complete this form. 

Remember, the FAFSA is a FREE form.  If a website charges you to complete this form, you are using the wrong website.  The FAFSA can be found at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ 

  1. The majority of high school students use their parent’s income information to file for financial aid until age 24.
  2. For the FAFSA you list the income of the parent(s) in your household. (If you live with only one parent you use only their income and personal information.)  Parents can include: your parents, a parent and a step-parent or a single parent.
  3. Exceptions are rare and include documented independence (court involved) or if you are married and or have a child yourself.
  4. Documents you need to gather:
    1. Parents’ 2011 federal income tax return. (2010 can be used to estimate).
    2. Parents’ W-2 form for 2011. (2010 can be used to estimate).
    3. Records of untaxed income such as welfare benefits, social security benefits, TANF, military or clergy allowances, etc.
    4. Your 2011 federal tax return. (2010 can be used to estimate).
    5. Your W-2 form for 2011. (2010 can be used to estimate).
    6. Your parents’ savings and checking account balance. The value of any stocks or bonds. (Not retirement accounts).
    7. Your savings and checking account balance.
    8. Net worth of real estate (not your parent’s home); Net Worth of business or investment farm
    9. Your social security number
    10. Your alien registration number (if permanent resident).
    11. Month and Year you became an eligible resident.
    12. Your date of birth.
    13. Your Drivers License Number
    14. Your parent(s) social security number(s)
    15. Your parent(s) date(s) of birth
    16. Your parent’s wedding anniversary or the date they separated or divorced.
    17. Email address for both student and parents
    18. Your home phone number
    19. List of schools you have/will apply to
If your college requires the CSS Profile to be completed, you will also need to include the following information in addition to the information the FAFSA form requires:


            a.    Rental payment or mortgage payment
            b.   Amount owed on the home, value of the home, year purchased .
                  and purchase price
            c.    Medical and dental expenses for 2011
            d.    Educational Loans (amount owed)
e.    Sibling’s educational expenses
f.    How much family believes they can afford for 1 year of
      student’s college tuition
g.    Amount in Parent’s 401K/Retirement Plan   
h.    Family car(s) – Make, Model, Year, and Purchase Price 

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