Office of Student Aid : Applying for Student Aid 2007-08 : 2007-08 FAFSA Tips : General Tips and Instructions

General Instructions:

Make sure student and parent(s) names and Social Security numbers are provided exactly as they appear on each Social Security card. All dates of birth must be entered accurately. Errors in these items may significantly delay processing a student’s aid.

FAFSA on the Web may allow you to skip some questions; however, Pennsylvania residents applying for a state grant will need to complete all questions.

If you would like to be considered for Federal Work-Study or loans, you must make that selection on the FAFSA for consideration. Saying yes to loans or Work-Study does not limit your eligibility for grants or scholarships. (Q26)

Make sure that you enter your income tax paid not income tax withheld. (Q36 for students or Q80 for parents). Income tax amount is reported on IRS Form 1040 – line 57, 1040A – line 36, or 1040EZ – line 10.

Keep copies of all 2006 Federal Income Tax Returns, W-2 Forms, and 1099 Forms. Our office may request copies and responding quickly to our request helps ensure timely disbursement of your student aid.

Penn State’s school code is 003329.

Student Instructions:

If you are graduating from high school before entering college, answer “Yes” to “Will you have a high school diploma or GED before you begin the 2007-2008 school year?” (Q27)

ONLY MALES between the ages of 18 and 25 who have NOT yet registered with Selective Service should answer “Yes” to this question. If you are already registered or are female, answer “No” to this question. (Q22)

Do not leave question 31 blank. If you answer “Yes” to this question, the Department of Education will send you a worksheet in the mail to determine your eligibility for aid. (Q31)

Parent Instructions:

“Parent” for FAFSA purposes is defined as your biological or adoptive parent and their current spouse. A student is not permitted to report the information of a grandparent, legal guardian, foster parent or other relative as a parent for purposes of completing a FAFSA unless that person has legally adopted the student.

Marital status: A couple does not have to be legally separated in order to be considered separated for purposes of the FAFSA. The couple may consider themselves informally separated when one of the partners has left the household for an indefinite period of time.

If your parents are divorced, widowed, or separated and filed a joint 2006 Federal Income Tax Return, only report information for the parent you lived with more during the 12 months prior to completing the FAFSA.

Confirming that You Have Submitted the FAFSA:
Access the FAFSA Follow-Up Overview on the FAFSA Web Site
When you have completed the FAFSA on the Web, which includes both you and your parent (if applicable) signing electronically using your Federal Student Aid PIN (Personal Identification Number), make sure that you continue until you reach the FAFSA on the Web Submission Confirmation, which will provide you with a confirmation number. Print and keep the page for your records or write down the complete confirmation number, date, and time. The confirmation number is proof that your FAFSA on the Web application was received by the Department of Education.

When your FAFSA is processed, you will receive an e-mail notification with a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR). If you did not provide an e-mail address, you will receive your SAR by mail. You should review your SAR for accuracy and make any necessary corrections. If you do not receive your electronic SAR or paper SAR within three weeks, go to the FAFSA Web site and select: “Check the Status of a Submitted FAFSA”.

For more information on completing the FAFSA, you can go to the FAFSA Web site. If you need assistance completing the FAFSA, contact the Office of Student Aid or speak to the student aid representative at the Penn State campus nearest you.