Completing the FAFSA

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	Paper FAFSA
Access "Before Beginning a FAFSA" for an overview of the application process, FAFSA on the Web Worksheet, and several other worksheets that should be completed to assist the applicant complete the FAFSA.	The instructions and Worksheets A, B and C are on pages 1-6 of the paper FAFSA booklet.
Section 1 - Student Information	Step One - Student Information
Section 2 - Student Dependency Status	Step Two - Student Tax and Asset Information
Section 3 - Parental Information	Step Three - Student Dependency Status
Section 4 - Student Finances	Step Four - Parent Information (household size, income, tax, and asset information)
Section 5 - College to Receive Information*	Step Five - Independent Student Household Size Information
Section 6 Review FAFSA & Signatures	Step Six - College Choices and Housing Information*
Section 7 - Submit FAFSA Electronically	Step Seven - Signatures

*A MAP-approved postsecondary school must be reported as one of the college choices to be considered for a MAP Grant.

FAFSA Output – Student Aid Report (SAR)

A paper Student Aid Report (SAR) will be mailed to all FAFSA applicants. An e-mail Notification of Processing is sent to the applicant within 1-3 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 to the applicant if the FAFSA is filed via FAFSA on the Web but an e-mail address is not provided.

The Central Processing System (CPS) will also use the e-mail address to correspond with the student regarding his or her application and Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Remind students that, when completing the 2008-09 FAFSA (paper or electronic) they should:

• read the instruction booklet (paper FAFSA) or “Before Beginning the FAFSA” (electronic FAFSA);
• gather all the suggested documents needed;
• complete the Worksheets to assist with completing the FAFSA;
• 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; 
• write numbers less than 10 with a zero first (e.g., 01, 02, 03). Put a zero in the farthest right box if it does not apply; and 
• beware that questions and references to the “school year” mean the school year from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

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)
• Grade level in 2008-09 (#24)
• Will the student have a bachelor's degree by July 1, 2008 (answer must be no)?  (#28)
• Will the student be working on a master's or doctorate program during the 2008-09 academic year (answer must be no)?  (#49)
• Parents' state of legal residence (#68)

Printable version