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FAFSA Guide for Students and Parents

*New Feature - Complete the 2020-21 FAFSA using the new myStudentAid mobile app, found here

New Students: Prepare  |  File  |  Complete your file  |  Follow-up                        Continuing Students: Renew FAFSA

PREPARE (October - February)

    • Apply for Admission   
    • Create an FSA ID
    • The FSA ID - a username and password has replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN and must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents. 
    • To complete the FAFSA, you will need the following information for student and parent(s):
      • Social Security Number 
      • Driver's license
      • W-2 Forms for the previous year and other records of money earned
      • 2016 Federal Income Tax Return - IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, or foreign tax return
      • Records of child support paid (if applicable)
      • Records of taxable earnings from federal work-study or other need-based work programs
      • Records of any grants, scholarships, and fellowship aid that was included in your or your parents' adjusted gross income (AGI)
      • Current bank statements
      • Current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records
      • Documentation of U.S. permanent resident or other eligible noncitizen status
    • Complete a FAFSA Worksheet before starting your FAFSA application

FILE (October 1 - March 2)

Important Dates:

    1. Students can begin completing the FAFSA: October 1  
    2. FAFSA priority filing deadline for all new students: January 15
    3. Deadline for Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (CA Residents only): March 2    

Review important tips and information before completing the FAFSA: 

How to create an FSA ID? Tip Sheet for Military and Veterans
FAFSA Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid Tip Sheet for Undocumented Students
Students in Unique Situations: Tips for Completing the FAFSA Tip Sheet for Adult Learners 

      • Name and Social Security Number 
        Enter your name and Social Security Number exactly as they appear on your Social Security Card. 

      • Degree or certificate
        Unless you will be a graduate student, a professional Pharmacy student, or a fifth-year teaching credential student when you enter Pacific, indicate 1 (1st bachelor's degree). 

      • Grade level
        Entering Freshmen: Indicate 0 (never attended college/first year undergraduate), even if you have college units earned while in high school. Transfer Students (including freshmen attending another college or university in Spring or Fall): Estimate your grade level at Pacific, counting transferable units, only.

      • First bachelor's degree before July 1, of your incoming year?
        If you will not have a four-year college degree when you enter Pacific, indicate No. 

      • Federal school code & housing plans
        University of the Pacific's School Code is 001329. 

      • Highest grade level parents completed
        Answer for both of your legal parents (or adoptive parents). 

      • Legal Guardian
        The definition of legal guardianship does not include your parents, even if they were appointed by a court to be your guardians. You are also not considered a legal guardian of yourself. By answering "Yes" it means you can provide a copy of the court's decision giving you this legal status. 

      • Student/Parent(s) financial information
        All students must fill out this section, even if you don't have any income, savings, or investments and do not file a Federal Income Tax Return. If an item does not apply to you, enter 0. 

      • Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) on the FAFSA

        1. To use the DRT, log on to the FAFSA website and proceed to the parent and/or student financial section where there will be a box labeled IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
        2. Provide the requested information and you will be directed to the IRS's website, where you will authorize the IRS to transfer your tax information onto the FAFSA.
        3. If the FAFSA is not resubmitted after the DRT is used, the tax information will not transfer to Pacific.

        Click here to enlarge

      • Read, and sign with your FSA ID: https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
        Make sure FAFSA is signed with student FSA ID. If parent information is required on your FAFSA, a parent FSA ID is also required. If parent does not have a SSN they cannot electronically sign the FAFSA, print the signature page, sign it, and mail it to the address on the page. Your student's application will be processed once your signature is received.

      • Click on the image below to complete FAFSA:

click here for FAFSA Web Site

FAFSA Help Desk: 1.800.433.3243

 back to PREPARE

COMPLETE YOUR FILE (March - July) 

Verification is a process in which the U.S. Department of Education requires schools to collect documents to verify the information submitted by you and/or your parent(s) on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools are prohibited from awarding/disbursing financial aid, until the Verification process is completed by the Office of Financial Aid. 

  • It is important not to submit any documentation unless requested to do so by the Office of Financial Aid.
  • If your FAFSA is selected for Verification, you will be contacted by the Office of Financial Aid through your u.pacific.edu student email.
    • If selected, the Office of Financial Aid will send you a link to create an account through "Verify My FAFSA" secure website, where you and/or your parent can submit and electronically sign your Verification Documents.
  • Monitor your student email account for communications from the Office of Financial Aid. 
  • Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the Verification process and tips on how to use the Verify My FAFSA portal. 

FOLLOW-UP (May - July)

Have all requirements listed under the Financial Aid section of your insidePacific been resolved (i.e. "signed off") with an "R" status?

  • Aid is estimated until all requirements have been resolved/signed off.

   

Have you reviewed and accepted/declined your financial aid awards, including desired loan amounts, located on your insidePacific? (click on the image below)

Stafford Loans

  • Have you completed both the Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note @ https://studentloans.gov ?
  • You will need to use your FSA ID to sign in.
  • You do not need to complete the "Financial Awareness Counseling".

      If you have been awarded a Cal Grant, have you completed the "High School Graduation Certification Form"?

      Does your Parent(s) want to apply for the Federal PLUS Loan?

       back to VERIFICATION

      RENEW- For Continuing Students Only (October 1 - March 2)

      Deadline for continuing Pacific Students: March 2nd 

      • Create an FSA ID before starting the FAFSA.
      • How to create an FSA ID?
      • Complete FAFSA Renewal Application at FAFSA.
      • Make sure FAFSA is signed with both student and parent FSA ID's, if required.

      Grade Level

      • Continuing Pacific students should indicate their projected grade level for the following academic year (i.e. counting in courses that will be completed at the end of spring). 

      Complete your file (only if selected for Verification)

      Since the U.S. Department of Education randomly selects FAFSA's for Verification, the Office of Financial Aid will contact you via email if your FAFSA was selected. Verification is a process in which the U.S. Department of Education requires schools to collect documents to verify the information submitted by you and/or your parent(s) on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools are prohibited from awarding/disbursing financial aid, until the Verification process is completed by the Office of Financial Aid. 

      • It is important not to submit any documentation unless requested to do so by the Office of Financial Aid.
      • If your FAFSA is selected for Verification, you will be contacted by the Office of Financial Aid through your u.pacific.edu student email.
        • If selected, the Office of Financial Aid will send you a link to create an account through "Verify My FAFSA" secure website, where you and/or your parent can submit and electronically sign your Verification Documents.
      • Monitor your student email account for communications from the Office of Financial Aid.
      • Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the Verification process and tips on how to use the Verify My FAFSA portal. 

      California Students 

      • If you did not receive a Cal Grant last year and are applying for one this year, completion of a FASFA and GPA verification is required by March 2nd 2018.  
      • More than 24 units earned at Pacific: Request from the Office of the Registrar.
      • Less than 24 units earned at Pacific: Request from High School or Prior College.

         

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