FAFSA

  

FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

HERITAGE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL ‘23-’24


FAFSA – FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID

The “FAFSA” (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is used to help a family determine if a senior is eligible for state or federal aid for postsecondary education (community college, technical or trade school, 2 year or 4 year university). Financial aid can be in the form of grants, scholarships or loans.


New this year, the State of Indiana is expecting all seniors to file the FAFSA. There is much money available for students to earn an education beyond high school. The idea of this new program is to encourage seniors to better evaluate the financial aid they could potentially get for college, with data they can get only by filing the FAFSA. If a student decides against postsecondary education, nothing is lost; but submitting the FAFSA by the April 15 deadline ensures that a student may be eligible as they finalize their college or career plans.


The 2024-2025 FAFSA is newly designed and very streamlined. It opened December 31, 2023.  The deadline for state aid is April 15, 2024, however early filing will allow seniors more time to receive and evaluate their financial aid package. The first step is to go to studentaid.gov/ and Create an Account (upper right hand corner). A SSN, phone number and personal email will be needed. The FSA ID provides the consent required by all who will contribute data to the FAFSA (parent(s) and student) before it can be submitted. This process can take 3-4 days, so it is important to plan ahead. (Note that a parent who already has a FSA ID from an older child does not need to create a new FSA ID). Note that the tax information required for the FAFSA is for the year 2022.(which is automatically retrieved as part of the FAFSA application).


Check out these resources:How to Create an Account and Username (FSA ID) for StudentAid.gov

2024-25 FAFSA Financial Aid Night Presentation.pptx

The U.S. Department of Education provides email and live chat assistance for FAFSA filers as well as a helpline at 1-800-4-FED-AID. Remember, all colleges have a financial aid office that can more specifically answer questions for all situations. Families are encouraged to contact them for expert advice!


“College Goal Sunday” provides an opportunity for parents to get help filling out the FAFSA at no cost. The date is Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 2:00 -4:00 site time. Local locations include Ivy Tech in Evansville (2:00 CST) and VUJC (1:00 CST). Go to College Goal Sunday for more information. It is important that any contributor to the FAFSA - parent(s) and student - create their FSA ID at studentaid.gov/ at least one week prior to the event; as the FAFSA cannot be accessed without this initial step!




SCHOLARSHIPS

As they become communicated to HHHS, scholarships are posted and updated at: Scholarships and Financial Aid - Heritage Hills High School. Seniors must check this scholarship link regularly to be aware of the many scholarships available. Seniors should also check the website of the colleges/programs they are considering for their specific financial aid/scholarship information and deadlines. 


NOTE for students applying to Purdue: The Berkshire Scholarship is no longer “automatic”. It is not awarded to students who apply to Purdue after Nov. 1, who do not have a Spencer County address, or who do not make academic progress. But, it is still not promised, as it depends on the size of the applicant pool and the funds available for the given  year.  Students should view this award as supplemental in their financial aid planning. Questions about the Berkshire should be directed to the financial aid office at Purdue.


TWENTY FIRST CENTURY SCHOLARS: (you know who you are!) Be sure to access Scholar Track, complete Scholar Track tasks and affirm the Scholars pledge. More info: www.scholars.in.gov or email [email protected]. Contact your counselor if you have questions!


HELPFUL RESOURCES:

Learn More Indiana: Home

College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics

www.affordablecolleges.com

www.studentloans.gov

www.CollegeProwler.com

www.Scholarships.com

www.Collegeboard.com

www.Fastweb.com



The HHHS Guidance Department is hosting a 

FINANCIAL AID Meeting

 on Tuesday, January 23 at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium.


The  meeting will be hosted by an expert  financial aid advisor from the University of Evansville. The meeting will address the different types of financial aid, step-by-step instructions on creating the student aid /FSA ID account and completing the FAFSA, and more information about the goal for all seniors to file the FAFSA, regardless of their plans for after  high school. Please, make plans now to attend!



HOW TO FILE THE FAFSA

 

The easiest way to file the FAFSA is online at the FAFSA website at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The website also provides a printer-friendly PDF if you prefer to mail your FAFSA. Remember – you should NEVER pay any money to file the FAFSA. It is free.

Here are the steps you’ll take when filling out the FAFSA: 

 

Step 1. Create Your FSA ID

The FSA ID process consists of these main steps:

·         Access the “Create Account” page at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

·         Provide a unique username.

·         Enter your email address.

·         Provide a unique password.

·         Provide your name, date of birth, and Social Security number (SSN).

·         Provide your mailing address.

·         Select your language preference.

·         Provide your mobile phone number. Select the box to indicate if you would like to register your mobile phone to receive one-time secure codes if you forget your username or password. (You will be required to provide either your email address or your mobile phone number and to opt in to messaging before you can proceed.)

·         For security purposes, complete the challenge questions and answers.

·         Confirm and verify your information.

·         Agree to the terms and conditions.

 

Step 2. Gather The Necessary Documents

Make sure you have the following documents prepared before you file the FAFSA:

·         Your Federal Student Aid ID (the FSA ID is a username and password you can create on the FAFSA website; see the section above for details on getting an FSA ID)

·         Your Social Security number (found on a Social Security card)

·         Your driver’s license number (if you have a driver’s license)

·         Your and/or your parents’/guardians’ most recent federal tax returns (IRS forms 1040, 1040EZ or 1040A)

·         Records of money earned, including W-2 forms and recent bank statements

·         Alien registration numbers or permanent residence cards, if you or your parents/guardians are not U.S. citizens.

 Helpful Hint: Use The IRS Data Retrieval Tool

When you get to the income portion of filing the FAFSA, select the “IRS Data Retrieval Tool” option. On the IRS website, enter the requested information exactly as it appears on your tax return. If you get an error that there’s no match, double-check your information, including the exact mailing address on your return. If you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer your tax return information from the IRS, the information won’t display on the FAFSA form. For your protection, our system replaces the answer to each question with “Transferred from the IRS.”

 

Step 3. Answer The FAFSA Questions

         The FAFSA has many different questions concerning your personal information, your family’s income information and information on the colleges you are interested in attending.



OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
:

Learn More Indiana: Home

College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics


Financial aid/Loans:

www.studentaid.gov

www.affordablecolleges.com

www.studentloans.gov

Scholarship search services:

www.CollegeProwler.com

www.Scholarships.com

www.Collegeboard.com

www.Fastweb.com

www.MyNextMove.orghttp://hhhs.nspencer.k12.in.us/guidance/scholarships_and_financial_aid  

 

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