FAFSA INFORMATION
FAFSA OPT OUT FORM (Print and Return to Counselor)
Click on the link below to watch a YouTube video that gives instructions regarding obtaining an FSA ID.
Creating an FSA ID
Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. It’s important to understand that the student and the parent may not share an FSA ID: Your FSA ID is your signature, so it must be unique to you.
Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. It’s important to understand that the student and the parent may not share an FSA ID: Your FSA ID is your signature, so it must be unique to you.
If you are a parent of a dependent student, you will need your own FSA ID if you want to sign your child's FAFSA form electronically. If you have more than one child attending college, you can use the same FSA ID to sign all applications, but each child must have his or her own. Please note: Each FSA ID user must have a unique mobile phone number and/or email address. An email address or mobile phone number cannot be used for multiple accounts.
An FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as a legal signature. Only create an FSA ID using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You are not authorized to create an FSA ID on behalf of someone else, including a family member.
Create an FSA ID:
1. Open your internet browser and navigate to www.studentaid.gov.
2. Click on Create Account.
3. Provide your email address, a unique username and a password. Write the information below.
4. Enter your personal information: legal name (must match SSN card), date of birth, social security number, and a mailing address.
5. Provide your mobile phone number for account recovery (optional).
6. Complete the challenge questions and answers.
7. Agree to the terms and conditions of FSA ID usage, and submit your FSA ID information.
8. If you entered a mobile phone number, verify your number by entering a security code texted to your phone.
9. If you entered an email address, verify your email address by entering a security code emailed to the account.
1. Open your internet browser and navigate to www.studentaid.gov.
2. Click on Create Account.
3. Provide your email address, a unique username and a password. Write the information below.
4. Enter your personal information: legal name (must match SSN card), date of birth, social security number, and a mailing address.
5. Provide your mobile phone number for account recovery (optional).
6. Complete the challenge questions and answers.
7. Agree to the terms and conditions of FSA ID usage, and submit your FSA ID information.
8. If you entered a mobile phone number, verify your number by entering a security code texted to your phone.
9. If you entered an email address, verify your email address by entering a security code emailed to the account.
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There are basically four types of financial aid available for students: grants, scholarships, employment and loans. The Federal Pell Grant is the most widely known form of aid. The U.S. Department of Education has provided the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) to calculate the dollar amount a family should have available to pay toward educational expenses. This amount is called EFC (Expected Family Contribution)
- In the FALL OF THE SENIOR YEAR.....Students and parents should apply for the FSA ID to electronically sign the FAFSA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=yj1Pn-shze8 - In order to start to college in the fall after students graduate from high school - In October of your Senior year, gather the data needed for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your parents will need their tax information in order to complete the application
- Beginning on October 1st, complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov to determine your eligibility for financial aid. Some scholarships REQUIRE that you submit a FAFSA in order to be considered. Check with your college to see what their deadline is for submitting the FAFSA; colleges have different deadlines. Deadlines are listed on college websites under financial aid. Plan to submit your COMPLETED FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible.
- Expect to receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the FAFSA in the mail. Pay particular attention to the Expected Family Contribution(EFC) and discuss it with your parents. *Families should complete their Federal Tax Returns as soon as possible so that the FAFSA can be completed early enough to meet February/March deadlines set by some schools. The State of Texas has a March 15th deadline for some state aid programs.
TOP 6 REASONS YOU SHOULD FILL OUT THE FAFSA:
1. FEDERAL AID - If you want money from the government, you need to fill out the FAFSA. Aid ranges from Pell Grants that don't have to be paid back to Stafford Loans which can be paid back based on your income.
2. STATE AID - Some states offer forms of financial aid as well in the forms of education grants and loans. FAFSA must be filled out to qualify for state aid.
3. SCHOOL AID - In order to receive loans, scholarships, or grants from a school, you need to fill out the FAFSA. Many merit scholarships offered by colleges don't need you to demonstrate need, but not filling out the FAFSA will leave you out of earning free money from your school.
4. ITS EASY - The FAFSA is short. Low income students will no longer have to report parental assets.
5. ITS FREE - Access to billions of dollars of aid is available for free with the FAFSA. You can always get help at www.FAFSA.gov or visit the East Texas Educational Opportunity Center in Longview for assistance. You can call the center at 903-757-9660 to make an appointment.
6. It's a GRADUATION REQUIREMENT!!