FSA ID and FAFSA Workshops 2023-24

FAFSA Workshops will be held throughout the Fall and Early Spring.
Dates: 12/11/23, 1/22/24, 2/26/23 @ 6:00-7:30 in the BHS Library

Some informational sheets on steps to completing a FAFSA and what to do once it is complete can be found here:

FAFSA will open for the 2024-25 Application in December 2023. This is later than usual due to changes in the application.

Walk In assistance is available in the counseling office every Wednesday at lunch or by appointment with your counselor. You can also contact Mr. Heras at Cesar.Heras@fresnounified.org.

FAFSA Info Night and Walk Through will be held in December @ 6:00 pm in the Bullard Library. Students and Parents, please join your counselors so we can assist you on your way to completing the FAFSA. A reminder that you and one parent need an FSA ID (electronic signature) before starting the FAFSA. What you will need to complete the FAFSA:

• Your (and your parent’s) social security #. If your parent does not have a SS #, they will need to sign the signature page and mail it to Federal Student Aid.
• Your (and one parent) FSA ID
• 2022 Federal tax returns
• 2022 W-2s, other records of money earned
• Current bank statements

Seniors should apply for Financial Aid using the online FAFSA between December 1, 2023-March 2, 2024 of their Senior year. The earlier the better, as some aid is first come, first served.

Why should I complete a FAFSA/CADAA application?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)/ CADAA (California Dream Act Application) can qualify college students to be eligible for a wide variety of financial aid including:

– Grants: such as Cal Grant, PELL grant, CHAFFE grant, and other money you do not have to pay back
– Scholarships: Middle-class scholarship, College & University scholarships
– CA Community College Tuition Waiver: Free community college in California regardless of income
– Student Loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Loans and Parent Loans
– Work Study: Jobs you can qualify for on campus

I don’t think my family income level will qualify me for any needs-based aid…

All students should complete a FAFSA/CADAA application even if they do not think you are going to qualify for grants. This is helpful if your plans change and you want to attend a community college for free or if unexpected family/life changes happen and you need to additional aid during the school year.

A FAFSA/CADAA Application may also be a requirement of many scholarships and programs such as athletic and academic programs.

Steps to Completing your FAFSA/CADAA application

1. Create your FSA ID (you can do this now)
2. Gather the necessary materials
3. Answer the FAFSA Questions
4. Add your colleges and universities you are applying to in your FAFSA/CADAA app
5. Submit the FAFSA by the necessary deadline

Step One: Create your FSA ID

Your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) is a unique username and password that will allow you to electronically sign your FAFSA/CADAA. Go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/ and click on “Create an Account” or log in if you already have an account.

The student and one parent need an FSA ID. Parents who already have created one for their own schooling or have former or multiple children should use the same FSA ID for themselves and all their children. Students who do not live with a parent may need additional help. Please see your counselor if you have any questions.

Tip: When you create your FSA ID, be careful to enter your name and Social Security number exactly as they appear on your Social Security card. 

 Step Two: Gather Necessary Materials

If you are a dependent student, you need to following materials to complete the FAFSA/CADAA form:

• Your Social Security card (you need to use the name on your SS card to avoid errors)
• Your driver’s license (if you have one)
• Your Alien Registration numbers (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
• Your 2022 W-2 Federal Tax return (if you filed taxes)
• Your parents’ Social Security numbers
• Your parents’ 2022 1040 Form and Q-2 Federal Tax Returns (you should use the IRS Retrieval Tool within the application to fill in this information)
• Records of any untaxed income, cash, savings, checking account balances and investments

Step Three: Answer the FAFSA/CADAA Questions

Question 22: Do you want to register for Selective Service System website?

Males age 18-25 will likely have to select “Yes” since there are very few exceptions to this policy. If you think you are not required to register, you can visit www.sss.gov/register/who-needs-to-register/ for more information.

Questions 29: What will your college grade level be when you begin the 2024-25 school year?

High School Seniors should answer “Never attended college/1^st yr”

Questions 36-38: These questions should be answered using the student’s 2020 tax returns. We highly recommend using the FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval Tool to complete this section if you filed taxes.

Question 46-58: Help determine if the student is an independent or dependent student for the purpose of financial aid. Independent students do not have to submit their parent’s financial information if they answer yes to any of the questions 46 through 58.

Questions 59: FAFSA asks about parents’ marital status. If parents are divorced or not in the same household students should use the parent income who they have lived with more over the past 12 months.

Tip: Select the blue and white question mark icon next to a FAFSA question to view a “tool tip” that provides information about how to answer that question.

Step Four: Add schools to the FAFSA/CADAA

Once you have completed your FAFSA/CADAA you need to send to all the schools you are applying to so you can be considered for aid. You can add up to 10 schools on Questions 103 and you can add and delete schools throughout the process if needed.

Step Five: Watch your email, for requests for additional information and corrections. Meet all deadlines.

Students need to be checking their personal email (used on all college apps and financial aid/scholarship documents) to make sure there is nothing else to be submitted, get info about creating accounts for Web Grants and college portals and making sure everything is getting processed and submitted on time. In the Spring, students can check their college portals to see what financial aid offers are being made. All colleges & universities are different and considering financial aid offers is very important in deciding on what college to choose. Students typically do not need to decide on the college choice (and submit their intent to register) until May 1 but checking with every school about their deadlines is very important as they may have a different date.

Steps to Completing your FAFSA Application
Coming Soon!

Need help with FAFSA? 

Attend a FAFSA Application Workshop, come see your counselor, Ms. Rheault or Mr. Heras and we will help you! Laura.Rheault@fresnounified.org
Cesar.Heras@fresnounified.org

FAFSA on the web Help page: https://fafsa.ed.gov/help.htm

Resources :

Do you need money for college?:
studentaid.gov

How to create a FSA ID:
studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

FAFSA Overview Video:
*note FAFSA open Dec. 1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=emUDDQSFYRI

How to Fill Out a FAFSA Video:
Coming Soon!

FAFSA and FSA ID Tips for Parents Video:
coming Soon!

Types of Student Aid

Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career school. Aid can come from

• the U.S. federal government,
• the state where you live,
• the college you attend, or
• a nonprofit or private organization.