1. Financial Aid and Student Records Binghamton University
Dennis Chavez
Director
Financial Aid and Student Records
Binghamton University

2. Agenda An Overview What is Financial Aid? Who is eligible?
How do I apply?
When do I apply?
How is my eligibility calculated?
Tips and other helpful info
Questions?

3. What is financial aid? An Overview
Grants – free money, usually based on “need”
Loans – money that must be paid back
Employment – earn a paycheck to help with non-billed college expenses
Scholarships – free money, various criteria

4. An Overview Who is eligible? General Eligibility requirements:
Must be admitted (matriculated) into a degree-seeking program.
Must be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
Must be registered with Selective Service, if male ages
Must not have any drug-related convictions.

5. An Overview Parent and student information is required.
The federal government believes it is
BOTH the parents’ and student’s responsibility
to pay for college.
An Overview
Parent and student information is required.
For divorce or separation situations, the parent with whom the student lives with must complete the FAFSA.
For joint custody situations, the parent who provides the most support completes the FAFSA.

6. A student is only considered “Independent”
by the federal government if:
Born before 1/1/89 (for the aid year)
Married (as of the day the FAFSA is completed)
Working on a masters or doctorate program
Serving on active duty military (other than training)
Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
Have children/dependents – must provide >50% support
Orphan, ward of court or in foster care - since age 13
Emancipated minor, as determined by a court
In legal guardianship, as determined by a court
Unaccompanied youth – homeless

7. How do I apply?

8. Your first step: Website: www.pin.ed.gov Sign FAFSA electronically.
Not required, but speeds processing.
May be used by students and parents throughout aid process, including subsequent school years. 8

9. FAFSA on the Web Website: www.fafsa.gov
2014–15 FAFSA on the Web available on January 1, 2014
FAFSA on the Web Worksheet:
Used as “pre-application” worksheet
Questions follow order of FAFSA on the Web 9

10. Most Common FAFSA Errors:
Forgetting to submit BOTH pins (electronic signatures)
Incorrect SSN for student or parent
Incorrect date of birth for student or parent
Incorrect spelling of names (must match your Social Security card or Alien Registration card!)
Divorced/remarried parental information
Income earned by parents/stepparents
U.S. income taxes paid
Untaxed income reporting
Household size
Number of household members in college
Real estate and investment net worth

11. Stress look and feel may be different than what it shows here but clearly is in their best interest to apply here.
TAP will be forwarded to first school listed, therefore may need to notify HESC once school is selected.

12. Remember: apply for NYS TAP if you are a
NYS resident going to a NYS school!
Link provided on the FAFSA confirmation page
TAP PIN can be the same as your federal PIN

13. IRS Data Retrieval Available early February 2014
Participation is voluntary
Reduces documents you may have to submit to school later
Unfortunately, not very useful when first filing because of early school and income tax filing deadlines

14. Don’t wait - No better time than right now

15. Secondary Applications – College-specific Forms
Contact the school to find out if:
Specific scholarship application is required.
Separate financial aid form is required, in addition to FAFSA (i.e., Profile).

16. CSS PROFILE APPLICATION http://student. collegeboard

17. How is my eligibility calculated?
FAFSA information sent to all schools listed approximately 3 to 5 days after submitted.
School reviews data:
May request documentation to verify information on FAFSA.
Financial aid award offer calculated once file is complete.

18. Cost of Attendance (COA)
Financial Aid 101
Cost of Attendance (COA)
(direct and indirect cost)
– Expected Family Contribution
= Financial Need
Talk about differences between direct and indirect cost
Now is good time to start comparing cost, paying specific attention to options for room and board, off-campus cost and places where you can save.
Don’t let initial sticker price scare you; you’ll have plenty of time to review “NET COST”. Cost calculators now require for all schools

19. Suggested Timeline Submit FAFSA, available beginning January 1st.
Review acknowledgement from FAFSA, and look for possible corrective action needed.
Know school FAFSA filing dates/deadline.
Colleges begin to award aid typically March-April.
National Reply Date is May 1st (Deposit required to accept admission).
Exception is early action.

20. Get ready to file!
Gather your tax return, w-2s or pay stubs, bank statements.
Make sure you have CORRECT social security numbers and birth dates (for both parents and student).
RELAX! The web application is specially designed to help you complete the FAFSA accurately. If needed, you can “save” and finish later - if you need clarification or just need to take a break. 
Check school websites for FAFSA filing dates/deadlines as well as general financial aid information.

21. Special Circumstances
Change in employment status and/or income
High medical expenses not covered by insurance
Change in parent marital status
Unusual dependent care expenses
Student cannot obtain parent information
Communicate with schools financial aid office. Will need to provide documentation from third party in addition to your own explanation of circumstances

22. My advice to you : Review school specific process and timeline.
Gather materials you need( i.e. paystubs, w-2s, tax returns, bank and/or investment statements).
Start Scholarship search - good place to start is your High School.
FAFSA can be filed before taxes are completed; you can estimate.
Contact Financial Aid office if special circumstances exist.
AVOID websites, consultants, planners or services that charge money to apply for financial aid, even scholarships…
IT’S FREE!

24. Comparing “apples to apples”
42% of all undergraduate students took out a Stafford loan in
The average Stafford loan was $5, 231, according to the College Board: Trends in College Pricing 2008
Undergraduate students at a 4-year public institution borrow approximately $4,900 per year, according to National Center for Student Educational Statistics, Trends in Undergraduate Borrowing II ( Data as of ). 24

25. Helpful Info PIN website: www.pin.ed.gov
FAFSA website:
Student Financial Assistance:
College Board:
TAP website:
Dennis Chavez