Whom can I call for help with answering FAFSA questions?

You can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) with questions about the electronic or paper application process or about federal student financial aid in general.

Why does the Department of Education ask for income information from the year before I go to school?

Studies have consistently shown that verifiable income tax information from the base year (2002 for the 2003-04 award year) is more accurate than projected (2003) information when estimating how much the family will be able to contribute during the coming school year.

What should I (the student) do if my family has special circumstances that aren't mentioned in the application?

Talk to your financial aid administrator (FAA). If your family's circumstances have changed from the base year (2002) due to loss of employment, loss of benefits, death, or divorce, the FAA may decide to adjust data elements used to calculate your EFC. The adjustment might increase your eligibility for student aid.

I'm not sure if I want to take out a student loan. What should I enter for the question asking if I am interested in student loans?

Some schools use this information to put together a financial aid package for you. Answering "Yes" does not obligate you to take out a loan. It usually just means that the school will offer you a loan or loans as part of your aid package. You can change your mind and not accept the loans later.

If I live with an aunt, uncle, or grandparent, should that relative's income be reported instead of parental information?

Only if the relative is your adoptive parent. Dependent students can be considered dependent only on their parent(s) and may report only parental information on the FAFSA. You must report (in Worksheet B) any cash support given by relatives, but not in-kind support (such as food and housing) from relatives.

What if I live with a girlfriend or boyfriend who pays the rent?

You should not report any information for a friend or roommate unless the two of you are actually married or are considered to have a common-law marriage under state law. You must report any cash support given by the friend as untaxed income but should not report in-kind support (such as food). You would have to report as income the rent the roommate paid if your name were on the lease and if the roommate were paying the rent on your behalf.

When is student aid considered income?

Generally, grants and scholarships that do not exceed tuition, fees, books, and required supplies are not considered to be taxed or untaxed income. If you have an ROTC scholarship, a private scholarship, or any other kind of grant or scholarship, that grant or scholarship will be considered as an available resource by the financial aid office when packaging aid but will not be reported as income on the application.

You should report grants and scholarships you reported on your tax return. You should then report these items as exclusions from income on Worksheet C.

What's the difference between cash support and in-kind support?

Cash support is support given either in the form of money or money that is paid on your (the student's) behalf. You must report cash support as untaxed income. Thus, if a friend or relative gives you grocery money, it must be reported as untaxed income on Worksheet B. If the friend or relative pays your electric bill or part of your rent, you must also report those payments.

Examples of in-kind support are free food or housing that a family receives, usually in exchange for work or services. You usually don't report such support.

However, the application does require you to report the value of housing a family receives as compensation for a job on Worksheet B. The most common example is free housing or a housing allowance provided to military personnel or clergy, which is required to be reported on Worksheet B.

I am now a U.S. citizen but have an Alien Registration Number (A-Number). How do I indicate this on the application?

Indicate that you are a U.S. citizen - do not provide an A-Number.

I'm going to get married this summer. How do I answer the question that asks if I am married?

Answer "Yes" if you are married on the day you sign the FAFSA. Otherwise, answer "No." The FAFSA is a snapshot of your status the day it is signed; it does not forecast changes such as marriage.

Why must I report the highest school level my parents completed?

Some states and institutions make funds available to support students who are first-generation college students. This information also serves statistical purposes. If you don't know the answer, select "Other/unknown."

If I'm an emancipated minor, am I now independent?

The status of emancipated minor is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for financial aid purposes; such a student must meet one of the other listed criteria to be independent.

If I am in the National Guard or am an active duty military member, am I considered a veteran for purposes of filling out the FAFSA?

If you were a member of the National Guard or were a Reservist called to active duty for purposes other than training and were released under a condition other than dishonorable, you are considered a veteran for FAFSA purposes.

If you are on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard, but will be a veteran by June 30, 2003, you are considered a veteran for FAFSA purposes. If your active duty will continue past June 30, 2004, however, you are not considered a veteran for FAFSA purposes.

I'll be filing a tax return this year but I probably won't get around to it until April. How should I answer the financial questions? Should I wait to fill out this form until after I've filed my tax return?

Ideally, you should complete a FAFSA after you've done your tax return, but don't wait until April. Many colleges award aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, you may not be eligible for state aid if you wait until April to submit your FAFSA. If you haven't submitted your tax return, you should calculate your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and taxes paid using the instructions for IRS Form 1040. You can get the instructions and the form at a public library or download them in Portable Document Format (PDF) from www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html

Once you file your tax returns, you must make corrections income or asset data that may have changed from what you reported on your application.

You might have to provide your college with a copy of your completed tax return (assuming you're required to file one) before you receive federal student aid.

If my parents are divorced, whose information do I need?

The parent with whom you lived the most during the 12 months preceding the date you completed the FAFSA. It does not make a difference which parent claims you as a dependent for tax purposes. If you did not live with either parent or lived equally with each parent, the parental information must be provided for the parent from whom you received the most financial support or the parent from whom you received the most support the last time support was given.

I am entering financial information for my mother and stepfather on the FAFSA. Should I give my father's Social Security Number (SSN) and last name, or my stepfather's?

You should provide the SSN and last name of the same person or people for whom you are reporting financial information. In this case, provide the SSNs and names of your mother and stepfather.

What should you do if the parent with whom you live is remarried and the stepparent refuses to supply information?

If you are a dependent student and your parent is remarried, the stepparent's information must be included or you will not be considered for federal student financial aid.

How does a family decide whom should be counted in the household size?

Anyone in the immediate family who receives more than 50% support from a dependent student's parents or an independent student and spouse may be counted in the household size even if that person does not reside in the house. For example, a sibling who is over 24 but still receives the majority of his/her support from the parents can be included. Siblings who are dependent (as defined by the FAFSA) as of the date you apply for aid are also included, regardless of whether they receive more than 50% of their support from the parents. Any other person who resides in the household and receives more than 50% support from the parents may also be counted, as long as they will continue to reside with your parents and the support is expected to continue through June 30, 2004. An unborn child who will be born during the award year may also be counted in the household size.

Household size and tax exemptions are not necessarily the same. Exemptions look at the previous year or tax year and household size refers to the school year for which the student is applying for aid.

My parents separated four months ago. I live with my mother. My parents filed a joint tax return and claimed me as an exemption. Do I report both their incomes, or just my mother's?

Report only your mother's income and asset information because you lived with her the most during the past 12 months. Use a W-2 Form or other record(s) to determine her share of the income reported and taxes paid on the tax return.

If I (the student) am separated but filed a joint tax return, how is the information reported?

You should give only your portion of the exemptions, income, and taxes paid.

Who qualifies to be counted in the number in college?

Any person (other than your parents) who is counted in the household and will be attending any term of the academic year at least half time. The person must be working toward a degree or certificate leading to a recognized education credential at a postsecondary school eligible to participate in the federal student aid programs. You (the student) need not be enrolled half time to be counted in the number in college.

When Does My School Have to Receive the Results From My Application?

Your school must have your information by your last day of enrollment in 2003-04, or by August 31, 2004, whichever is earlier. If your school has not received your application information electronically, you must submit your paper SAR to the school by the deadline. Once the school receives your information, it will use your EFC to determine the amount of your federal grant, loan, or work-study award, if you are eligible. The FAA will send you a letter explaining the aid the school is offering.

What if I don't get a SAR Information Acknowledgement or SAR, or I need another copy of that form?

If you do not receive your SAR Information Acknowledgement within two weeks or SAR within four weeks after submitting your application, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). If you have a touch-tone phone, you can use the automated system to find out whether your application has been processed or to request duplicate copies of your report. You will need to provide your Social Security Number and the first two letters of your last name. You can also check the status of your FAFSA and print a copy of your SAR at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

What if I think somebody is misusing federal student aid funds?

If you have reason to suspect fraud, waste, or abuse involving federal student aid funds, you should call the U.S. Department of Education's Inspector General's toll-free hotline at:

1-800-MIS-USED (1-800-647-8733)