HELPFUL HINTS
FOR UPPERCLASS STUDENTS APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID AT HOPE COLLEGE
FILE YOUR 2009-10 APPLICATIONS AFTER JANUARY 1, 2009 PRIORITY FILING DEADLINE IS MARCH 1, 2009
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You MUST complete BOTH the Hope College Supplemental Application for Financial Aid (SAF) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for all aid resources. Complete the Hope SAF and the FAFSA at the same time to ensure your answers are consistent. BOTH YOU (THE STUDENT) AND ONE PARENT MUST SIGN BOTH FORMS (unless you file as a selfsupporting student). When you submit your FAFSA on the Web, your and your parent’s federal Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) serve as your signatures.
FILING YOUR 2009-10 FAFSA ONLINE
Submit your 2009-10 FAFSA on the Web. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to access the FAFSA website, click on Filling Out a FAFSA and select the 2009-10 FAFSA option. You will be asked if you would like to have your application pre-filled with data from the previous year. If you agree, you will be presented with an application that is automatically filled with certain data from your prior-year application. Double check this pre-filled information for accuracy. (Submit your FAFSA AFTER January 1, 2009.) You and one of your parents must both have a federal PIN to submit the FAFSA online. This PIN serves as your electronic signature on the FAFSA for both you and your parent. If your parent does not have a PIN, go to www.pin.ed.gov to apply. It will be necessary to provide name, date of birth, social security number, mailing address, and email address. Should you have questions regarding the federal PIN, more information is available at www.pin.ed.gov.
FAFSA On the Web CHECKLIST
To file the FAFSA ON THE Web, it’s important to first complete the FAFSA ON THE WEB WORKSHEET available at www.fafsa.ed.gov (Go to the Before Beginning a FAFSA section and click on the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet). Enter your name on the FAFSA as it appears on your Social Security Card. Review your Social Security Number and birth date entry. An incorrect number or date of birth causes the application to reject and delays processing. If possible, use finalized 2008 federal tax return information. If final figures are not available prior to March 1, use estimated figures when completing the FAFSA. Once the return is completed, you must review and correct your FAFSA information either online (at www.fafsa.ed.gov) or use your green STUDENT AID REPORT/SAR. (If you provide a valid email address on your application, you will receive an electronic acknowledgement or eSAR. If you do not provide a valid email address, the processor will mail you a green paper SAR.) Hope College requires you to complete all income and asset sections. In Step 5, list Hope College as the ONLY school to receive the FAFSA results. If you are a Michigan resident, this ensures you will receive state award consideration at Hope College.
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CHECKLIST FOR Hope Supplemental Application for Financial Aid (SAF)
Explain any special circumstances (i.e., loss of employment, loss of child support, unusual non-discretionary expenses, etc.) in Section E of the SAF. Carefully complete the family member grid, Section A-5, with the names of all members of the household reported on the FAFSA. Include the names of any school each family member will attend at least half-time in 2009-10. In responding to line items 9 through 17 of the SAF, enter a “0” if your answer is zero. Note: If you submit estimated tax return information on the FAFSA and SAF and you later find that your actual tax return information differs, correct your FAFSA information online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. DO NOT COMPLETE ANOTHER SAF.