Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid STEP by STEP Process
Step One: Get yourself and one of your parents a PIN Number
Get a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at www.pin.ed.gov for:
· Yourself and
· One of your parents
This 4-digit # will serve as your electronic signature when signing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year!
Step Two: Gather Personal Information
See the attached checklist for a detailed list of required information
· Social Security Number (Yours and your parents)
· W2 forms from your employer/s
· Ask your parents for a copy of their 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ forms
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOUR PARENT’S FILE THEIR CURRENT TAX FORMS! You may use estimates based on the previous years’ tax forms. You will have an opportunity to correct these later when you receive the Student Aid Report.(SAR).
This information will help you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Step Three: GPA Verification Form – Needed to determine eligibility for CAL GRANTS
Complete your GPA Information Release Form and turn it in
to the counseling office Rm V-125
· OHS will submit your GPA VERIFICATION FORM ELECTRONICALLY to expedite the process, BUT we must have an ACCURATE Social Security Number on file!!!
· Be sure to have your parent sign the form as well
Step Four: Complete the Fafsa(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov (the ONLY official site, beware of scams!)
In order to maximize the amount of aid, fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st.
DEADLINE MARCH 2ND
Why Fill out a FAFSA?
Receive Free Money to attend a Four-Year College, Community College or even a Vocational or Trade School from Cal Grants, Pell Grants and College/University Grants by filling out the FAFSA!
The FAFSA is used to determine how much aid you’re eligible for. Think of it this way:
FAFSA = COA – EFC = Financial Aid
COA= Cost of Attendance (college tuition)
EFC = Expected Family Contribution (based on how much you family is expected to contribute towards college costs)
Step Five: Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) and your California Aid Report (CAR)
The SAR is proof that your FAFSA was received. You should receive your SAR within 72 hours.
· Review your SAR right away for accuracy and follow the instructions if you need to make corrections.
· Call 1-800-4-FED-AID If you don’t receive your SAR
· Your SAR contains your EFC at the top right corner without a dollar sign.
FAFSA = COA – EFC = Financial Aid
COA= Cost of Attendance (college tuition)
EFC = Expected Family Contribution (based on how much you family is expected to contribute towards college costs) This stays the same no matter what college you decide to attend.
· Each college you list on your FAFSA will receive your SAR information and use it to process your Financial Aid Package or Financial Aid Award Letter.
If you’re offered a Cal Grant, you’ll receive a California Aid Report (CAR) in the mail. Your CAR will list the first 3 CA colleges you listed on your FAFSA where you can use your Cal Grant.
· If you need to make corrections: www.webgrants4students.org
· If you will be attending a CA Community College you should receive your letter in early October.
FINAL STEP: Evaluate Your Financial Aid Offers
Your prospective colleges will try to meet your financial need through aid made up of funds from federal, state, school and private sources. This may include grants, scholarships, work-study (student employment) and loans.
NOTE: If you have any unusual circumstances, contact the college(s) Financial Aid Office directly.
- Your offers will typically vary from college to college, so you may want to wait until you’ve heard from each on before making a decision—but be aware of DEADLINES.
- You don’t have to accept your entire student aid package, but can pick and choose the aid you want. (e.g. you can accept grants and decline student loans) Just keep in mind that whatever you decline may not be available later if you change your mind or if your circumstances change.
- Applying for Financial Aid is FREE! Call Mrs. Celia Hernandez at (760) 722-8201 ext. 2395 to set up an appointment or find me on school loop!
