NRCYS :: OKSA Guide - FAFSA Instructions

FAFSA Instructions

Which FAFSA do you want to file?
- The 2017-2018 School Year (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018)
- The 2018-2019 School Year (July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019)
Name—Spell your name exactly the way it appears on your Social Security Card.
Permanent mailing address—Use a stable address where you can get your mail, even if you do not live there.
Email address—If you put your email address in this space you will receive your results via email, so list an email address that will not change and that you will remember to check. Be sure to check your spam mail.
Registering with Selective Services—Males must mark “Yes” to be eligible for federal aid.
Highest school completed by father/mother—This applies to biological parents if you are in foster care. If you are in a permanent living situation, list your legal parents/guardians.
Convicted of possession/sale of illegal drugs while receiving federal financial aid—This question will not appear online the first time you apply. If you were charged but not convicted, answer “No.” If you answer “Yes,” you may still be eligible for Financial Aid.

You can add up to 10 colleges to your FAFSA—These are the schools that will receive your information. Include all the schools you’re interested in, even if you think you’ve made up your mind.

Parents deceased/foster care/ward of the state—Since the age of 13, if both of your biological parents were deceased, if you were in foster care (even if not currently in foster care today), or if you have been a ward of the court, mark “Yes.”
Emancipated minor—Mark “Yes” if you were emancipated prior to the age of 18. You will need to provide legal documentation to the financial aid office of the college/technical school you plan to attend.
Legal guardianship—Mark “Yes” if you were placed in a legal guardianship prior to the age of 18. You will need to provide legal documentation to the financial aid office of the college/technical school you plan to attend.
Unaccompanied youth/homeless/runaway—Refer to the Help & Hints on the right side of the online application or see the Notes section of the paper application. Be sure to answer if any of these categories apply to you, as it may assist you with additional housing resources/services.
How many people in your household—If you answered “Yes” to at least one of the questions regarding foster care, emancipation, guardianship, unaccompanied minor, homeless, or runaway youth, only indicate yourself, your spouse, and/or your children (if you provide for more than half of their support).

If you answered “Yes” to at least one of the questions regarding foster care, emancipation, guardianship, unaccompanied minor, homeless, or runaway youth—You do not need to provide parent information. You are an Independent Student. Skip to Step Five.
If you answered “No” to all of those questions—Provide financial information for the person that had legal custody of you at 18.
NOTE: If you no longer have contact with that person, contact the financial aid office for exceptions to this. It may still be possible for you to be classified as an Independent Student.
NOTE: If you were returned to your biological parents prior to the age of 18, you may be required to report their income information to the financial aid office.

Student income information—Provide information about your income for the prior year. Use your income tax forms and/or W-2 forms. If you haven’t done your taxes by the time you fill out your FAFSA, it’s okay to estimate the amounts. After you file your taxes, you’ll need to log back in to the FAFSA and correct any estimated information that was incorrect. Contact the financial aid office of the school you are interested in attending for one-on-one assistance with this section.
Money received, or paid on your behalf (e.g. bills), not reported elsewhere—Provide an estimate of the amount of money you received (e.g. gifts, teen panel payments, etc.) which was not included on your W-2 forms.

Are you a preparer?—Select “No” if you’re completing your own application.
How do you want to provide your signature?—It’s recommended you either print the signature pages, sign, and mail them in OR sign in electronically with a PIN. This link to apply for a PIN is easy to use and is the fastest way to get results.

You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) via email or post mail. Review the SAR and make any corrections on the FAFSA website. Save a copy of your SAR for other financial aid applications.
The Financial Aid offices of schools you have selected on your FAFSA should obtain your information about two weeks after it has been submitted online. You will then begin receiving letters or emails from the schools. If you don’t have any contact from the schools, contact them.
The Financial Aid office will need you to complete additional paperwork before they can award you funds to help with your school expenses. It is important that you are in contact with them and complete any additional paperwork by the deadlines. The longer you wait, the longer it will take for the Financial Aid Office to award you. If you don’t get your award letter in time, this will affect your access to funding from the Oklahoma Successful Adulthood Program.

For a printed copy of this information email oksa@ou.edu.