The FAFSA:
Making It User Friendly
Presented by Campus Planning Inc.
Apply Using the FAFSA
FAFSA
If you mail the FAFSA to the Federal Student Aid
Program, use the envelope and return notification card
provided in the application packet!
Now let’s look at the
form more closely
General tips:
- Read the instructions
- Include accurate SSNs
- Enter whole numbers & capital letters
- Use a black ink pen
(#2 pencil use not permitted)
- One entry per space
- Parents complete purple sections
- Students fill in green areas
- You must answer #35
2001-2002 FAFSA
FAFSA Change
Students are now asked about
any drug convictions. Students
convicted of possession or sale
of a “controlled substance”
may be ineligible for federal
student aid unless they have
participated in an approved
rehabilitation program. Aid
will be denied if this question is
left blank.
2001-2002 FAFSA
Step One: You (the student)
All information pertains to
student
If student plans to be
married before enrolling,
wait until then to apply
Entering freshmen will
answer “NO” to question
#32 ... do not have a degree
2001-2002 FAFSA
Step One (continued): your plans
Some schools offer
summer aid only if items
#17 or #21 show attending
in summer
Answer 0 (not 4) in #30
for a high school senior
Some schools only offer a
work-study job if #34 is
“yes.” We encourage you
to answer “yes” to #34
2001-2002 FAFSA
Step Three: Student Status
If all answers are “no,”
your parents must furnish
information in Step Four
(purple areas). You then
skip Step Five.
If you answer “yes” to any
question, you are
independent-- then fill out $
green areas in Step Five
(skip Step Four)
2001-2002 FAFSA
Step Four: for Parents
All dependent students must
provide the last name(s) and
social security number(s) of
their mother (or stepmother)
and/or their father (or
stepfather) #60 through #63.
Single parents list only
themselves.
2001-2002 FAFSA
Step Four: for Parents
The number of family
members attending college
may no longer include the
parents, #65. This may be
appealed, however, through
“Professional Judgment.”
We are available to assist
you with such appeals.
2001-2002 FAFSA
FAFSA Change (Step Four for parent
and Step Two for Student)
Income tax questions in
#36 & #70 have changed
from “Have filed” or
“Will file” to “Have
completed, and will file”
or “Will file, but have
not completed.”
2001-2002 FAFSA
Income, earnings, and benefits (Step Four
for parent; back to Step Two for Student)
Refer to a completed tax return for
accurate information. Consult
instructions for proper line references
If entry is zero or none, enter 0. Do
not leave any space blank unless
instructed to do so.
Use Worksheet A to determine
untaxed income (answer #44-#78)
Use Worksheet B & C to calculate
items to be excluded in the need
analysis (#45-#46 and #79-#80)
2001-2002 FAFSA
Income, earnings, and benefits
(continued) -- net worth questions
Net worth questions must be answered by
all people completing the form.
These are questions #47-#49 (for students)
and questions #81-#83 (for parents).
Net worth is defined as the current value of
the asset minus the debt against the asset.
Separate net worth among “investments,”
“business,” and “farm” to answer the
three questions. The value of the home is
not included in net worth.
2001-2002 FAFSA
Income, earnings, and benefits
(continued)-- net worth questions
Do not include your
IRAs, 401 (k), 403
(b) or any other
retirement benefit
on questions #47 or
#81.
2001-2002 FAFSA
Income, earnings, and benefits (continued)
-- “investment farm” question
Stock options are considered
assets and must be included in
#47 and/or #81. Be sure to read
the “Do not include...”
statements
Questions #47 through #49 and
#81 through #83: “Total
current balance…” has been
changed to “As of today, what
is your total balance…”
2001-2002 FAFSA
Income, earnings, and benefits (continued)
-- “investment farm” question
Questions #48 and #83 pertain to an
investment farm that you may own.
Do not include the value of a family
farm that you live on and operate. Only
include one that is owned solely for
investment purposes.
A farm that has been incorporated is not
a family farm if non-family members
own shares in the corporation.
2001-2002 FAFSA
Step Five: Student’s Family
Only independent students
answer questions #84 & #85
Answers regarding household
size and number in college
pertain only to the student’s
family (student, spouse, and
student’s children). Do not
include information about
parent’s family here!
2001-2002 FAFSA
Step Six: Federal School Code
Enter school codes (a
maximum of six) and
school’s name (for clarity)
Name, address, and state
of college may be entered
if you do not know the
school’s code
Check appropriate housing
plans
2001-2002 FAFSA
Step Seven: Signatures
The Student applying
must sign the FAFSA in
#99
Dependent students
only need one parent to
sign the form
Married student spouse
does not need to sign
2001-2002 FAFSA
Step Seven (continued) If a paid
professional person completed the form
This section is
completed if a
person such as an
accountant or
financial planner
fills out the FAFSA
•You must
reapply every
year
•Be conscious of
school deadlines
Both the FAFSA and CSS Profile
may be filed electronically
For answers to any questions you may have,
regarding the filing of the your FAFSA or your
CSS Profile, feel free to contact us.
Questions? Our e-mail address is
campusplan@ameritech.net
We are available in
January, February
and March, to assist
you with the filing of
the FAFSA or the
Profile, either by
paper or electronic
filing.