New in 2010-11
Completing the FAFSA
FAFSA Output - Student Aid Report (SAR)
Critical Data
New in 2010-11
Fields and edits have been added or deleted to both the paper and electronic processes to comply with legislative changes and annual enhancements. There are no design changes on the 2010-11 paper FAFSA. The FAFSA on the Web application process has been redesigned to provide enhanced navigation and other features to simplify the process. These changes include:
- The FAFSA on the Web redesigned site was implemented on December 26, 2010.
- Additional skip logic has been added, decreasing the number of entry pages which shortens the overall length of the application.
- Edit alerts and messages display in a bulleted list in a text box when a data entry error is made.
- A virtual key board will be implemented in January 2010 to improve security when personally identifiable information is entered.
- The student's SSN on the signature pages will be replaced with a cross-identifier.
- The IRS Data Retrieval process for the 2010-11 application year will be implemented in the Summer of 2010. The IRS Retrieval Process allows applicants to transfer information directly from the IRS database into FAFSA on the Web, which will reduce data entry time and improve data accuracy, reducing the need for corrections. The IRS data retrieval process for the 2009-10 application year will be implemented on January 28, 2010.
Refer to the 2010-11 Summary of Changes for Application Processing System Guide and 2010-11 Student Application Web Products Process Guide to learn all of the changes for 2010-11 processing year.
Completing the FAFSA
The 2010-11 electronic version, FAFSA on the Web and the paper FAFSA are comprised of seven steps or sections, depending on the application that is used. Prior to beginning the FAFSA application process, applicants filing a FAFSA electronically should access the various links from the FAFSA on the Web homepage, the Introduction page that displays before FAFSA entry is started and read the instructions in the Helps and Hints box that displays for each FAFSA question. If the paper FAFSA is completed, refer to the instructions and worksheets included in the application booklet.
Applicants can refer to the Federal Student Aid website to obtain detailed information about the application process and completing either FAFSA version, including links to worksheets and the PDF version of the FAFSA or they can contact the FSA Information Center at 1.800.4FED AID. There is a "Contact Us " button on FAFSA on the Web.
The following is a list of the "sections" included in the FAFSA on the Web and “steps” included in the paper FAFSA. The questions on each version of the application are presented in a different order, but both result in the determination of the same Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
| FAFSA on the Web |
Draft Paper FAFSA |
| The 2010-11 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet should be downloaded and completed. The Worksheet gives applicants time to read and answer the questions before entering information online. The questions are listed in the same order as they appear on the Web site. |
The paper FAFSA booklet includes instructions on pages 1, 2, 9 and 10 and the application on pages 3-8. |
| Section 1 - Student Demographics |
Step One - Student Information |
| Section 2 - School Selection* |
Step Two - Student Tax and Asset Information |
| Section 3 - Student Dependency Status |
Step Three - Student Dependency Status |
| Section 4 - Parental Information |
Step Four - Parent Information (household size, income, tax, and asset information) |
| Section 5 - Financial Information |
Step Five - Independent Student Household Size Information |
| Section 6 - Sign and Submit |
Step Six - College Choices and Housing Information* |
| Section 7 - Confirmation |
Step Seven - Signatures |
*A MAP-approved postsecondary school must be reported as one of the college choices to be considered for a MAP Grant.
Remind students that, when completing the 2010-11 FAFSA (electronic or paper) they should:
- gather all the suggested documents needed;
- complete the worksheets to assist with completing FAFSA. The FAFSA on the Web worksheet should be used only for applications filed using FAFSA on the Web;
- complete all questions; and
- observe the federal and state deadlines.
The CPS reads paper FAFSA’s electronically. To improve the readability of a paper FAFSA, applicants should read the “Filling Out the FAFSA” section on page 1 of the paper FAFSA booklet. Encourage students to:
- use a pen with black ink;
- print carefully in CAPITAL letters and skip a box between words;
- do not write “N/A” or margin notes;
- do not leave anything blank;
- round figures to the nearest dollar, Report whole dollar amounts with no cents; and
- if an answer is zero or the questions does not apply, enter 0 with no cents.
FAFSA Output – Student Aid Report (SAR)
After filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the processor will analyze the application information using a federal formula to calculate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The results of the application is sent to the schools listed on the FAFSA and to the student. Students will receive an electronic or paper Student Aid Report (SAR) depending on the type of FAFSA filed and whether the applicant's e-mail address was provided on the FAFSA.
- An e-mail Notification of Processing is sent to the applicant within 3-5 days of processing with a link to access and print an electronic SAR (e-SAR), if the student provides an e-mail address;
- A SAR Acknowledgement is mailed within two to three weeks to the applicant if the FAFSA is filed via FAFSA on the Web but an e-mail address is not provided; or
- A paper SAR will be mailed to all FAFSA applicants within two to three weeks.
There are separate pages that provide additional details about the Student Aid Report (SAR) and FAFSA Corrections.
Critical Student Data
In addition to the FAFSA data elements that are required to determine a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC), there are critical data elements that must be reported on the FAFSA to determine a student's eligibility for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) Program grants. The number references in parenthesis are from the paper FAFSA. They are:
- Student's state of legal residence (#18)
- Will the student have a bachelor's degree by July 1, 2010 (answer must be no)? (#27)
- Grade level in 2009-10 (#28)
- Will the student be working on a master's or doctorate program during the 2010-11 academic year (answer must be no)? (#48)
- Parents' state of legal residence (#70)
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