High School Counselor Workshop

1. High School Counselor Workshop

2. Agenda • 8:00 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. • On-site check-in/Welcome • FAFSA Update and Overview • Cal Grant/Cash for College Overview • Break/Question Period • FA101-The Basics Overview • Questions

3. FAFSA Update & Overview

4. Agenda • 2012-2013 Application & Processing • Publications and Materials • PIN • Student Aid Report • FAFSA on the Web (FOTW)

5. Application & Processing www.fafsa.gov

6. 2012-2013 Application Processing Ordering Publications High schools, libraries or non-profit counseling • log in using your mailing list (ML) number www.FSAPubs.org

7. 2012-2013 Application Processing “Fill-in” Paper FAFSA • Schools may download a PDF from www.FSAPubs.gov • Students may call 1-800-4-FED-AID or download a PDF from www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov

8. 2012-2013 Application ProcessingPersonal Identification Number (PIN) Access the PIN Website • Why use a PIN? • Sign FAFSA electronically • Access your FSA records online • Make corrections • Who can apply? • Students • Parents www.pin.ed.gov

9. www.pin.ed.gov Using the PIN website Requirements: Allows the following PIN actions: • Social Security number • Name • Date of birth • Address • Email address (encouraged) • Challenge question response A valid PIN will be issued upon submitting the request. Note:A PIN will be rejected if there is no Social Security Administration match. • Apply for a PIN • Check PIN status • Request a duplicate PIN • Access/Update email address and personal information • Change PIN • Disable, reestablish, activate PIN Note: Never ask for or give your PIN to anyone.

10. Student Aid Report (SAR) • Received electronically or by mail, • Summarizes FAFSA information • Displays the EFC and DRN (upper right-hand portion on the SAR) EFC- Expected Family Contribution; used to determine eligibility for federal aid DRN- Data Release Number; used to send SAR to additional schools

11. Student Aid Report (SAR) • Electronically within 3-5 days if submitted online with a valid email address • Electronically within 2 weeks if a paper FAFSA was submitted with a valid email address • online filers get an email from “Federal Student Aid” with subject “FAFSA Results…” • Postal mail within 3 weeks if the FAFSA was submitted without a valid email address

12. FAFSA On The Web (FOTW)

13. FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) www.fafsa.gov Using FOTW • Ask Questions • Browse Help • Deadlines • Announcements …and more

14. FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) Contact Us • Live “chat” • (800) 433-3243 • federalstudentaidcustomerservice@ed.gov

15. FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) Browse Help • Grouped Topics • Keyword Search

16. FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) Start Here: • Initial FAFSA • Corrections • Signatures • Continuing a Saved FAFSA • Renewal FAFSA

17. FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) Getting Started: • Guidance • PIN Status 2012-2013 2013 2012

18. FAFSA Overview: 7-Step Process

19. Step 1:Is About the Student

20. Student Demographics Check for: • Name matches student social security card • Transposed numbers • Incorrect data on numeric fields Tip: Use the Help & Hints section on each page. Simple mistakes can delay determining eligibility for aid

21. Student Demographics Students with a high school diploma and who have never attended college must: • Identify their high school • Select Confirm to find a match. • Select the school from the list or select Next to continue.

22. Step 2: School Selection

23. School Selection • Add a School • Federal School Code • Search by: • State • City • Name • Housing Plans • On campus • With parent • Off campus

24. Step 3: Determines Student’s Dependency Status

25. Dependency Determination “No” to all questions: • makes the student “dependent” • Must submit parent information Note: childmust be supported financially—more than 50%

26. Foster Care Select Yes if at any time since the student turned age 13, he/she was in foster care even if no longer in foster care today due to: • Adoption • Reunification • Reached the age of majority (18 yrs.) Note: documentation may be required.

27. Emancipated Minors Select Yes if the student: • as of today, is an emancipated minoror • was an emancipated minor immediately before turning 18 years old. Note:Documentation issued from a court in the student’s state of legal residence may be required.

28. Homeless, Unaccompanied Youth Select Yes if any time after July 1, 2011, the student meets all three criteria “Homeless” or “at risk of being homeless” • Lacking fixed, regular and adequate housing. Includes living in shelters, motels, cars, or temporarily living with other people because you had nowhere else to go. “Unaccompanied” • Not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian “Youth” • 21 years or younger • Still enrolled in high school at the time the FAFSA is completed

29. Step 4: Parent Information Required for Dependent Students

30. Parent Information Parents must answer both demographic and financial information to determine • Custodial parent(s) • Ability to contribute to student’s education expenses

31. Divorced or Separated • Provide parent’s information for the parent(s) with whom the student lived with most during the last 12 months • If the student spent equal time with both parents, use the information for the parent who provided the greatest amount of financial support for the student

32. Remarried Parent Provide information about the parent andstepparentregardless of: • Agreement of “nonsupport” • Prenuptial agreement • Divorce decree designating tax filing exemptions Note: parent claiming the studenton the tax return need not be the parent required to provide data on the FAFSA

33. Parent Information Do not provide parent information for • Foster parent(s) • Student is automatically considered an independent student • Grandparents, other relatives or legal guardian(s) • Colleges may use professional judgment to allow the student to file as an independent student

34. Parent Information For upcoming year • Household Size: Parent provides more than 50% financial support • Number in College: Student enrolled at least half-time

35. Parent Information Dislocated Worker • Lost job • Laid off • Self-employed/ unemployed or underemployed • Displaced homemaker

36. Income and Asset Information • Same questions asked of students • Selecting a box displays additional fields to complete • Note: Asset filtering question

37. Step 5: Student Income and Assets

38. Student 2011 Income and Assets IRS Data Transfer • Transfer information directly from the IRS • Requires PIN • Available January 31st • After filing tax return

39. Income Reporting and Verification Selected students and parents must submit income and asset documentation • Using IRS Data Transfer (unchanged) meets verification requirements for some income information • Otherwise only an IRS Tax Return Transcript will meet verification requirements

40. Student Income and Assets • Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) • Amount earned from work • Taxes paid • Exemptions • Cash/Investments • Asset Threshold

41. Student Financial Information Students are askedthe same questionsas parents. 2011

42. Step 6:Signatures and Certification

43. Student Sign and Submit • Select Signature Method • PIN or printed signature page • Terms of Agreement • $$$ for education expenses only • Not in default on a federal student loan • Not owe money • Receive one Pell Grant from one college at a time

44. Parent Sign and Submit • Select Signature Method • PIN or printed signature page • Terms of Agreement • Provide documents to verify accuracy of information • IRS verification

45. Step 7:Confirmation

46. Confirmation Page • Confirmation # • DRN • Optional feature: transfer FAFSA data • Eligibility information • College information • Next steps 2012-2013

47. Questions??