Filling out the FAFSA 2008-09

The FAFSA is the first step to receiving funding from the various Federal (and State) Student Financial Aid Programs including grants, work-study money and educational loans.

Things to know:

• Make sure the student is involved in the application process.
• Apply in ink (if using paper method)
• Apply early and correctly. (2008-2009 applications may not be submitted before January 1, 2008).  Most institutions have priority processing dates.  You will need to contact your institutions financial aid office to find out their priority date. 
• Priority Processing date for Minnesota State University, Mankato Financial Aid is 3/15/2008.
• Read all directions carefully.
• Use 2007 Federal Income Tax Returns for the 2008 - 2009 school year.
• FAFSA questions should be answered with information that is correct at the time of the application (e.g. if, when filling out the application, the student is single, then you must enter single, regardless of whether the student plans to marry during the year).
• Make sure the Social Security Number is correct.  Double-check the student’s Social Security Number with their SS Card.  An incorrect Social Security Number will delay the process and require a new application.
• Sign and date the completed application.
• Send only the FAFSA application to the Federal Processor (an envelope is included with the FAFSA application.)  DO NOT send written statements, letters, documentation, tax forms, etc. with the application.  Those materials will be shredded and the information will not be considered.  If the student or family has experienced special/unique situations that could effect the student’s financial aid eligibility, contact your institution’s financial aid office.

Students may apply for financial aid for the 2008-2009 academic year in one of three different ways:

1. FAFSA on the WEB.

Students who have internet access are strongly encouraged to file an online FAFSA or Renewal Application, if you are eligible, at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  FAFSA on the Web was designed by the Department of Education to serve as an electronic FAFSA application.  Students are prompted to answer specific questions, the same as those on the paper FAFSA application.  Students are required to provide the same income information from their 2007 Federal Tax Returns.  Students who fit the criteria for Dependent status are also required to provide their parent’s 2007 Federal Tax Return Information.  The Department of Education reports applications submitted through FAFSA on the WEB have a shorter processing time than the paper FAFSA .

2. Paper - Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The FAFSA is the complete application generally used by students who have not applied for Federal Student Aid before (or not in the last year).  Students may use this paper application any year, but it recommended that returning students use the FAFSA Renewal Form or FAFSA on the WEB.   You may obtain a FAFSA application from most Office of Financial Aids, High School Guidance Counselors or Educational Opportunity Center (if you have an EOC in your area).  You will need copies of your 2007 Federal Tax Returns and if it is determined you are a dependent student, you will need your parent’s 2007 Tax information.

2. Free Application for Federal Student Aid renewal Form (FAFSA Renewal).

The FAFSA Renewal was designed by the Federal Processor to make the process of reapplying for Federal Student Aid quicker and easier for students. The Renewal Form provides students with preprinted information such as name address, and other demographic information. Student are asked to make any changes necessary to that information as well as provide information from their 2007 Federal Tax Return.  Students who fit the criteria for Dependent status are also required to provide their parent’s 2007 Federal Tax Return information. Generally, Renewal email reminders are mailed to students who submitted the FAFSA for 2007-2008.  However, if during 2007-2008 you graduated, were a 5th year senior, graduate student or made changes to your application that effected your eligibility, you will not be sent a Renewal email reminder Form.  If for some reason, you do not receive your Renewal email reminder Form by mid-December, 2007, it is recommended that you fill out the Renewal FAFSA on the WEB.  

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Deadlines
| Federal | State | MSU |

How to Complete the FAFSA
| 2008 - 2009 |

Spanish

The FAFSA Application Questions (step by step)
| 2008 - 2009 |

Spanish

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Minnesota State University, Mankato School Code: 002360  

Once the student has completed the FAFSA application, mail the application to the Federal Processor.  There is an addressed envelope included in the FAFSA application booklet.  There is also a postcard students may send.  This postcard will be returned to the student signifying the processor has received their FAFSA application (students must put a stamp on the postcard).

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