FAFSA
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is a document all students who are U.S Citizens fill out in order to receive financial assistance for a college/university. This year FAFSA opens on October 1st, 2021, the deadline is June 30, 2022.
If you do not file for FAFSA this does not affect your acceptance to colleges, but only means you will not be getting any federal assistance. You will need to pay for tuition and all expenses on your own behalf.
How & Where do I fill it out?
This is the Official Website for FAFSA , You can also fill out the FAFSA form on paper by printing it and mailing it to:
Federal Student Aid Programs, P.O. Box 7650, London, KY 40742-7650.
To fill out the FAFSA application you will need this:
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Social Security Number ( Of Student and Parents ) , if your parent is undocumented FAFSA asks you to enter all zeros for your parent. FAFSA never asks about your parent’s citizenship status.
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Federal Tax Returns of the Previous Year ( for this year it would be 2020 Taxes but it’s best you get 2019 as well ! ) If your parent did not file taxes for reasons of citizenship or a low annual salary, you will be given that option but will be asked to provide further information as to why.
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Records of UnTaxed Income
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Bank Account Balances & Savings
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Documentation of any Financial Investments
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Drivers License ( if you have one )
This is a preview of what will be asked of you in the FAFSA Application
It’s also important you have your college list available to you. In the FAFSA application, you will be asked to input the schools you would like FAFSA to send your information to in order for these administrations to give you financial aid. You can list up to 10 universities/colleges.
Independent or Dependent?
To be independent means that you are making your own money and do not rely on your parents financially. Students who are moved out or in foster care are usually considered independents. This is what the FAFSA website has described the independent status as:
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An independent student is one of the following: at least 24 years old, married, a graduate or professional student, a veteran, a member of the armed forces, an orphan, a ward of the court, or someone with legal dependents other than a spouse, an emancipated minor or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
If you are independent you will need to provide your own financial information, all parental info and requirements do not apply.
You are a dependant if you still live with your parents and they provide for you financially. This is what the FAFSA website has described the status of dependent like :
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A student who does not meet any of the criteria for an independent student. An independent student is one of the following: at least 24 years old, married, a graduate or professional student, a veteran, a member of the armed forces, an orphan, a ward of the court, someone with legal dependents other than a spouse, an emancipated minor or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
If you are dependant, you will provide your parent’s income and financial information.
What if my parents are divorced?
When it comes to filling out FAFSA, you will need to provide the information of the parent you have spent the most time with. Therefore if for example your mother has more custody over you and you are at her home most days of the week, you will provide your mother’s information on FAFSA. If you spend an equal amount of time with both parents, you will need to provide the information of the parent who has financially provided for you more over the past 12 months. Heres is information FAFSA put on their website about this :
Whose information do I provide ? - FAFSA
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What if my parents aren’t willing to help me pay for college but they’re married and live together?
FAFSA understands these certain obstacles and when you fill out the FAFSA form you will simply hit “ I’m unable to provide my parent’s information” when asked. You will then proceed to be given a question where you choose which option best applies to your situation. FAFSA has stated that if you are in this situation you will only be eligible for an unsubsidized loan. But even then this is not promised. It’s best to have a conversation with your parents or contact a trusted teacher who could personally speak with them about this issue. If you are in this situation I wish you the best, TSP doesn’t have the perfect solution for this.
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