Ben Davis Class of 2018
FAFSA 411
FAFSA is the First Step to Financial Aid for College
Before a student can receive a federal grant, state grant, subsidized loan, or work-study, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed. After you have filed your FAFSA, the Department of Education will submit your income information to the colleges you select on the form. The colleges will send you award letters that will specify the total cost of attendance at that institution.
The 2018-2019 FAFSA opened on October 1! The sooner you can file your FAFSA, the better. I hope the instructions, checklists and videos provided below will help you file your FAFSA. The FAFSA is based on 2016 tax information so you do not need to wait until you file 2017 taxes.
Creating & Using the FSA ID
- Social Security Number
- Full & Correct Name
- Date of Birth
If your parent does not have a Social Security Number they cannot obtain an FSA ID. You can still file the FAFSA by submitting a signature page after you have entered your information.
FSA ID Tips
- Keep your FSA ID in a safe place and/or memorize it
- If you share an email address with someone else (including a parent), only one of you will be able to use that email to create an FSA ID.
- Only one parent needs an FSA ID - even if your parents are together
More information and instructions can be found at the following link. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/fsaid
Do I Need to Include Parent Information?
Most students will need to include parent income information on the FAFSA. A legal parent is your biological or adoptive parent, or your legal parent as determined by the state (for example, if the parent is listed on your birth certificate). If you have a stepparent currently married to your legal parent, you generally also must provide information about him or her.
This link will take you to additional information and instructions for determining what to report on your FAFSA. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/parent-info#who-is-parent
Step Two: Gather Your 2016 Income Information
Remember to File the 2018 - 2019 FAFSA!
When you go to fafsa.gov, you will be given two options to log in:
1) Enter your (the student’s) FSA ID
2) Enter the student’s information
If you’re the student, you should choose the first option. Why? When you do, some of your personal information (name, Social Security number, date of birth, etc.) will be automatically loaded into your application. This will prevent you from running into a common error that occurs when your verified FSA ID information doesn’t match the information on your FAFSA form. Also, you won’t have to enter your FSA ID again to transfer your information from the IRS or to sign your FAFSA form electronically.
Source: https://blog.ed.gov/2017/09/8-steps-to-filling-out-the-fafsa-form/
Student Demographics Section
This is information such as your name, date of birth, etc. If you log into the FAFSA forThis is information such as your name, date of birth, etc. If you log into the FAFSA form with your FSA ID, a lot of your personal information will be prepopulated to save you time. Make sure you enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your Social Security card. (That’s right, no nicknames.)
Parents: Remember that the FAFSA form is the student’s application, not yours. When the FAFSA form says “you” or “your,” it’s referring to the student. Pay attention to whether you’re being asked for student or parent information. When in doubt, the banner on the left side will indicate whether you’re on a student or parent page.m with your FSA ID, a lot of your personal information will be prepopulated to save you time. Make sure you enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your Social Security card. (That’s right, no nicknames.)
Source: https://blog.ed.gov/2017/09/8-steps-to-filling-out-the-fafsa-form/
IRS DATA Retrieval Tool
For many applicants, the most difficult part about filling out the FAFSA form is entering the financial information. But thanks to a partnership with the IRS, students and parents who are eligible can automatically transfer their necessary 2016 tax information into the 2018–19 FAFSA form using the IRS DRT. It’s the fastest, most accurate way to enter your tax return information into the FAFSA form, so if you’re given the option to “LINK TO IRS” button, take advantage of it!
You're Not Finished Until You Sign!
You’re not finished with the FAFSA form until you (and your parent, if you’re a dependent student) sign it. The quickest and easiest way to sign your FAFSA form is online with your FSA ID.
So many students answer every single question that is asked, but fail to actually sign the FAFSA form with their FSA ID and submit it. This happens for many reasons—maybe you forgot your FSA ID, or your parent isn’t with you to sign with the parent FSA ID—so your application is left incomplete. Don’t let this happen to you.
If you don’t know your FSA ID, select “Forgot username” and/or “Forgot password.”
If you don’t have an FSA ID, create one.
If you’re not able to sign with your FSA ID, there’s an option to mail a signature page. If you would like confirmation that your FAFSA form has been submitted, you can check your status immediately after you submit your FAFSA form online.
After You Have Filed Your FAFSA
Need More Help?
Come to a FAFSA Completion Event!
11/5/2017
Multiple Locations
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
11/15/2017
Ben Davis High School
Media Center
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
1/17/2018
Ben Davis High School
Media Center
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
2/12/2018
Multiple Locations
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
3/7/2018
Ben Davis High School
Media Center
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
5/2/17 FAFSA Next Steps
Ben Davis High School
Media Center
4:00 - 7:00
Ben Davis High School, Student Services Department
Rodney Smith, Associate Principal
Sherman Woodard, Director
Anna Coyne, College Admission Coordinator
Mike Horning, Counselor
Andrea Norcross, Counselor
Jamika Jones, Counselor
Chelsea Zimmerman, Counselor
Susan Williams, Counselor
Brian Abney, Counselor
Sonya Hicks, Counselor
Wendy Skibinski, Director of College & Career Readiness
Adam Pearish, Administrative Assistant
Email: anna.coyne@wayne.k12.in.us
Location: 1200 North Girls School Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Phone: 317.988.7000
Twitter: @bdhcounselors