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Financial Aid & FAFSA

The FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aide) officially opens in December for the 2023-2024 school year. It must be filed for each year that a student attends college. Parents and students BOTH need to have their own FSA ID. However, parents who have a child who has previously filled out the FAFSA will be able to use their same FSA ID for all their children. Students have their own unique FSA ID. 

 

If you would like to attempt the FAFSA on your own there are a series of additional resources to assist. You can find a list of articles you might find informative below in Financial Aid Links. Additionally, see this resource to help walk you through the FAFSA application, question by question.  They’ll clarify each question asked, and suggest how to best answer each one accurately. This guide will walk you through the why and how of the questions on FAFSA.

Visit getfafsahelp.org for instructions on how to sign up for Wyatt℠, a free FAFSA assistance chatbot that answers questions by text. When students sign up for Wyatt and text their financial aid questions, Wyatt sends answers via text, a familiar medium that doesn't require internet access. Wyatt is available 24/7.

Lastly, make sure that all necessary documents are in you or your student's possession at the time the FAFSA is started. This link will open a list of documents that you can begin to gather ahead of time.  Remember, the FAFSA opens in December of each year, so you can always gather materials and prepare ahead of time.  

Completing the FAFSA:

  • More information about this is in the resources above, but please note the following:

    • If a permanent resident or U.S. Citizen you are eligible to complete the FAFSA, if undocumented you will complete the AACTUS (more info below)

    • Acquire all necessary documents:
      • Student Driver’s License (if you have one)
      • Green Card (If a non-U.S. citizen)
      • 2022 tax return
      • 2022 W2 form(s)
    • Parent/Guardian AND student must both create their own FSA ID.
    • Once both FSA ID’s are created you can begin the FAFSA process.
    • **Please note that if a parent/guardian is undocumented, but you are not, you will still be able to complete the FAFSA. You will be able to print a page at the end to have parent/guardian sign and mail in.
      • Your FAFSA will not be processed until this page is received, so do this as soon as possible.
    • Once the application is submitted it needs about 5-7 business days to be received. Please make sure that if you are trying to be eligible to receive PACT (free tuition) you should have this submitted no later than July 8th, so that it is processed on time by July 15th.
    • If you have any questions you can reach out to the Financial Student Aid Information Center. If you are working on this over the summer you can also reach out to the Bridge to College Summer Counselors for more assistance. 
    • If undocumented you must complete the AACTUS, which is available for print:  AACTUS ENGLISH and AACTUS SPANISH
      • Once completed you must have this document notarized.
      • Ms. Shelley is also able to assist you with completing this form. 

Links and Resources from Financial Aid Video Presentation/Financial Aid Assistance:

Please make sure to continuously check here for articles, resources, and more information.