How to Fill Out the FAFSA

IMPORTANT DATES

January 30 – The IRS begins accepting and processing tax returns.
February 3 – Students and parents may begin to use the Department of Education’s data retrieval tool at fafsa.gov. (However, since tax data is generally not available for retrieval for at least three weeks after a tax return is electronically filed, the earliest you will be able to import your tax information would be late February.)
March 10 – This is the FAFSA deadline to be considered for state scholarships and grants. If a student's or parent's Federal income taxes are not complete by this date, you should still file the FAFSA by March 10 using ESTIMATED tax information.
May 15 - Frank O’Bannon Grant, Twenty-First Century Scholars Program and Indiana Supplemental Grant edit correction deadline. FAFSA must be error-free. www.in.gov/ai/appfiles/eStudents/

In Indiana, most financial aid sources use the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine the amount of money each student is eligible to receive.

Plan ahead! The FAFSA must be received by March 10. Each FAFSA covers the upcoming Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (for example, the FAFSA that is due March 10, 2013 is for the Fall 2013, Spring 2014 and Summer 2014 semesters).

The following videos will help you understand the basics of the FAFSA and answer frequently asked questions.

For more detailed information about filling out the FAFSA, including step-by-step instructions, visit Learn More Indiana.

There are NEW financial aid rules about “ability to benefit”. If you do not have a high school diploma (or GED) and have not been home-schooled, please note:

	Are you a current or previous Ivy Tech degree-seeking student? If you were enrolled in your college program of study prior to July 1, 2012, you can continue to be considered for financial aid, even without a high school diploma or GED.

	Are you a prospective Ivy Tech student? If so, you cannot be considered for financial aid without a high school diploma or GED unless you enrolled in your program of study PRIOR TO July 1, 2012.

	If you DO have a high school diploma or GED (or you will have one prior to enrolling at Ivy Tech), or you were home-schooled, but you mistakenly answered “no” to those questions on your FAFSA, you can correct your FAFSA! Go to www.FAFSA.gov and select “Make FAFSA Corrections”, or talk with your local Financial Aid Office.

Remember: if you are not enrolled in your degree program BEFORE July 1, 2012 and do not have a high school diploma or GED, you cannot be considered for financial aid.

Homeless or Unaccompanied Youth or At Risk of Being Homeless
Have you, at any time on or after July 1, 2012, been identified (by your high school district homeless liaison or the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) as an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or at risk of being homeless? If so, click here for more information and documentation instructions.

Ward of the Court, Orphan, or Emancipated Minor or Legal Guardianship
If you are a Ward of the Court, an Orphan, or an Emancipated Minor or in a Legal Guardianship please click here for more information and documentation instructions.

Drug Offenses
Some students who were convicted of a federal or state offense for selling or possessing illegal drugs (offenses that occurred while they were receiving federal student aid) may not be eligible to receive federal student aid for a specific period of time. Click here for more details.

Special Circumstances
We understand that there may be situations when a student’s true financial situation is not fully reflected by the questions on the FAFSA. These students may be considered on a case-by-case basis for a Special Circumstances Review. Click here for more information.

Dependency Status Review
We understand that there may be situations when a student does not meet the federal financial aid requirements to be considered independent on the FAFSA and yet may not be able to provide parent information. These students may be considered on a case-by-case basis for a Dependency Status Review. Click here for more information.