FAFSA Completion Assistance

I encourage all high school seniors that are interested in attending a post-secondary school to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  The FAFSA is the federal form that all students must submit to determine eligibility for most forms of need-based financial assistance, including the Pennsylvania State Grant, the Federal Pell Grant, work-study programs, the PA Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP), various scholarships, some school-based aid, and federal student loans.  The only way to find out if you qualify for awards is to complete and submit the FAFSA.  Students who are eligible for awards can reduce their family’s out-of-pocket expenses and make the cost of higher education more manageable.

In my role as Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), I want families and students to know there is free help available to them when applying for financial assistance for college.  PHEAA, in conjunction with the PA Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (PASFAA) is offering FAFSA Completion Sessions across the Commonwealth through April for families with students planning to attend college.  To view a listing of the FAFSA Completion Sessions taking place around the Commonwealth, please visit the FAFSA Completion Help Page on PHEAA's website (www.pheaa.org).  This site will be updated as additional sessions are scheduled.

Students and families will be able to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and will need the following information when beginning the application process:

 - Social Security Numbers

 - Student’s driver’s license

 - Alien registration number, if not a U.S. citizen

 - W-2 Forms

 - Records of untaxed income received, including workers’ compensation, child support, payments to tax-deferred pension and savings plans, etc.

 - Federal income tax return (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ)

 - Current bank statements and records of stocks, bonds, and other investments

Please remember it is better to complete and submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after that date as schools’ financial aid deadlines vary.