Applying Part II

What is the Renewal FAFSA?
If you applied for federal student aid last year, you might qualify to use a Renewal FAFSA. Renewal FAFSAs for the 2002-2003 academic year are available on FAFSA on the Web in November and December 2001 if you applied through the Internet. If you applied using the paper FAFSA, Renewal FAFSAs for the 2002-2003 academic year will be mailed to you in November and December 2001.

The Renewal FAFSA has fewer questions to answer. In addition, most of the information on the form will be filled in already and will be the same as the information you provided in 2001-2002. You'll only have to add some new information and update information that has changed since 2001-2002. Check with your financial aid administrator if you have questions about the Renewal FAFSA or contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at the address or toll-free number listed on page 12.

The Renewal FAFSA is available on FAFSA on the Web and in print version. The Department mailed PINs to all students who applied for financial aid for 2001-2002; you can use the PIN to sign your Renewal FAFSA on the Web.

Will I need to fill out forms in addition to the FAFSA to receive aid?
For most of the federal student aid programs, the FAFSA (or Renewal FAFSA) is the only form you need to file. To receive a PLUS Loan, your parents will have to complete additional forms (see page 19).
Remember, applying for federal student aid is FREE.

To be considered for nonfederal aid such as institutional aid
(aid from the school), you might have to fill out additional nonfederal forms. Check with your school to see if additional nonfederal applications are necessary. Be sure to ask about any deadline dates.

When do I apply?
Apply as soon as you can AFTER January 1, 2002 as possible. (You can't apply before this date.) If you want to apply through FAFSA on the Web, you can apply beginning January 2, 2002. It's easier to complete the application when you already have your completed 2001 income tax return, so you may want to complete your income tax return as early as possible. Do not sign (in print or electronic format),
date, or send your application before January 1, 2002. If you apply by mail, send your completed application in the envelope provided. It is already addressed and using it will ensure that your application reaches the correct address.

NOTE:You must reapply for federal student aid every year. Also, if you change schools, your aid doesn't automatically go with you. Check with your new school to find out what steps you must take to continue receiving aid.

What happens after I apply?

After your completed application is received by the Department's processing system, you will be sent a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR outlines the information you provided on the FAFSA and, if there are not any questions or need for additional information, your SAR will report your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the number used in determining your eligibility for federal student aid. Your EFC will appear in the upper right-hand portion of your SAR. The results will be sent to you and to the schools that you list on your application.
If you apply electronically you'll receive a SAR Information Acknowledgement in the mail up to two weeks after you
submit your completed application.

If you apply by mail, it will take about four weeks for your FAFSA to be processed and for you to receive a SAR in the mail. Whether you apply electronically or with a paper form, the Department will send your data electronically to the schools you list on the FAFSA.

If it's been more than four weeks since you submitted your application and you haven't heard anything, you can check on your application through the FAFSA on the Web site, even if you didn't apply using FAFSA on the Web. You can also check on your application by contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center at the address or toll-free number listed on page 12.

If you submit a paper FAFSA or paper Renewal FAFSA, you can use the postcard found in the application to track the processing of your application. You must fill in the postcard with the required information, attach a stamp, and mail it with your application. When the processor receives your application, the postcard will be stamped with the date that it is received and mailed back to you for your files. If you do
not receive your SAR within four weeks of the date stamped on the postcard, you can contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at the address or phone number listed on page 12 and refer to the date stamped on the postcard.

What happens after I receive my SAR?
When you receive your SAR, you must review it carefully tomake sure it's correct and complete. If any changes to your SAR are necessary, you can make corrections in a number of ways.

You can make corrections online through the Department of Education's FAFSA on the Web site, even if you didn't apply using FAFSA on the Web.

• Your school may be able to submit the corrections electronically.
  You can make corrections on the SAR and return it to the address provided.
• If you don't have a copy of your SAR, you can request a duplicate copy from the Federal Student Aid Information Center at the address(If you send a written request for a duplicate SAR, make sure you include in the request your full name, permanent address, Social Security Number, date of birth, the school year for which you are applying for aid, and signature.)
• Your duplicate SAR will be sent to the address you reported on your application. If your address has changed, include your old and new mailing addresses along with a request of change of address.If you want to have your application information sent to a school that you did not list on your SAR, you may
  
• contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (see page 12 to have your information sent to the school,
• give the school permission to request your information, or
• correct your SAR to add the school.
  

If you ask the Federal Student Aid Information Center to send your information or give permission to the school to request the information, you'll need to provide your Data Release Number (DRN), which is located in the upper right portion of your SAR.

If your address changes after you receive your SAR, you should correct your address as soon as possible. You can do this online at the FAFSA on the Web site, by contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center at the address or toll-free number given on page 12 (you'll need to provide your DRN), or by correcting the SAR and mailing it to the address listed on the SAR.


Go on to Applying Page 9 - Special Circumstances Page 11 - Withdrawals Page 12