FAFSA Tips

Our Financial Aid office uses the information from the FAFSA to determine if you are eligible for different types of federal student aid, such as grants, loans, and work-study. So be sure to fill out a FAFSA (ß LINK, http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) even if you think you won't qualify.

Get a PIN

Before beginning the FAFSA, you should apply for a Federal Student Aid personal identification number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov. The PIN will allow you to sign your FAFSA electronically and later to access your processed FAFSA online. After you receive the PIN assigned to you, we recommend you change it to something easy to remember. Don't share your PIN with anyone! If you are providing parent information on the FAFSA, one of your parents also must sign your application. To sign electronically, your parent must apply for his or her own PIN.

Gather Required Information.

• Your Social Security number and your parents' Social Security numbers if you are providing parent information.
• Your driver's license number if you have one.
• Your Alien Registration Number if you are not a U.S. Citizen.
• Federal tax information or tax returns, including W-2 information, for yourself, for your spouse if you are married, and for your parents if you are providing parent information, using income records for the year prior to the academic year for which you are applying.
• Records of untaxed income (such as Social Security benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF] benefits, and veterans benefits) and information on savings, investments, and business and farm assets for yourself (and for your parents if you are providing parent information).

Be Aware of Deadlines

Financial aid deadlines for states and schools are usually earlier than federal deadlines.

Use the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet

The Aveda Institute Business Office has a copy of the worksheet, or you can print one from http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/). This worksheet is optional, but it will help you collect the information you need to fill out your FAFSA online.

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Complete Your Application

Enter all necessary information at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/). If you need help, there are help links on each page of the online application.

Submit Your Application

After you submit your application, make sure you receive a confirmation number. This number tells you your application has been successfully submitted. Keep this confirmation number for your records.

Follow Up on Your FAFSA

Your application will be processed and you will receive an e-mail with a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR). If you did not provide an e-mail address, you will receive your SAR by mail. You should review your SAR for any necessary corrections or updates. If you do not hear from us within three weeks, go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/). and select: "Check status of a submitted FAFSA or Pritn Signature Page."

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