Completing the FAFSA

                                            

If this is your Senior year and you are planning on attending college, community college a technical school, or using A+ money, completing the FAFSA is a must.  The FAFSA form is the application you will use to apply for federal student aid programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to help pay for college or a technical school. Students may complete the FAFSA beginning on October 1st. 

Before you can complete the FAFSA you and one parent must each create your own FSA ID. This can be done at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.  Your FSA ID has the same legal status as a written signature and is used to sign legally binding documents electronically. Do not share your FSA ID with anyone.  

To create an FSA ID you will need your:

• Social security number 
• Your own mobile phone number and/or email address 

Once you have your FSA ID you are ready to apply for financial aid you will need to go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.  This website contains lots of good information and links to help you.  

Before you begin applying for financial aid make sure that you have: 

• Your Social Security Number

• Your federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)

• Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)

• Records of untaxed income (if applicable)

• An FSA ID to sign electronically.

There is also a mobile app available. The 2020-2021 FAFSA form is available on the myStudentAid app, available on the App Store (iOS) or on Google Play (Android).  

                                         Information is taken from the FAFSA website* 

Completing the FAFSA

*Information taken from the FAFSA website* 

If this is your Senior year and you are planning on attending college, community college a technical school, or using A+ money, completing the FAFSA is a must.  The FAFSA form is the application you will use to apply for federal student aid programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to help pay for college or a technical school. Students may complete the FAFSA beginning October 1st. 

Before you can complete the FAFSA you and a parent must each create your own FSA ID. This can be done at www.StudentAid.gov/fsaid.  Your FSA ID has the same legal status as a written signature and is used to sign legally binding documents electronically. Do not share your FSA ID with anyone.  In order to create a FSA ID you will need your: 

• First and last name (must match exactly what is on your social security number card)
• Date of birth
• Social security number 
• Email address (email address cannot be shared or used for multiple FSA IDs

Once you have your FSA ID you are ready to apply for financial aid you will need to go to fafsa.gov. 

A very handy website that you can use to help you through this process can be found at: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out#get-help

Journey to College from the Missouri Department of Higher Education

High School Seniors Colleges are busy sending acceptance letters - if you haven't applied yet, now is the time to get those applications in. Use our redesigned College and Degree Search to filter your search options and find your best fit!           The 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, became available Oct. 1. You can file the FAFSA online or by using the new myStudentAid app. There are still some free events planned in December and January to help you file the FAFSA. Find a FAFSA Frenzy event near you and be sure to file before the Feb. 1 Access Missouri Grant priority deadline. Get your FSA ID before starting the application. See other things you'll need with our FAFSA checklist. Once you file your FAFSA you will receive a Student Aid Report sent to the email address you used on the form. Here's what else you can expect.Have you signed up to receive text messages from us with important reminders and tools to help you plan and pay for college? It's easy! Just text #MOJ2C to 41411 to receive a couple of texts per month. Standard messaging rates apply. Important Dates: Feb. 1 Access Missouri Grant, Priority Deadline Feb. 9 ACT Test Date March 8 ACT Registration Connect with us Follow Journey to College on social media for daily planning and paying forcollege tips and reminders. Twitter: @Journey2College Facebook: @JourneytoCollege Instagram: @journey2college Online: JourneytoCollege.mo.gov              Texting service:  High school seniors: text #MOJ2C to 41411

7 Steps to Filling Out the FAFSA

Taken from Homeroom, the official blog of the U.S. Department of Education

Need to fill out the FAFSA® but don’t know where to start? I’m here to help. You’ve already done the hard part and gathered all of the necessary information, so now it’s time to complete the FAFSA. Let me walk you through it step by step:

IMPORTANT: On May 10, 2015, we changed the way you log in to fafsa.gov. You now must use an FSA ID to log in and sign the FAFSA online. You can no longer use a PIN. If you are required to provide parent information on the FAFSA, your parent must register for an FSA ID too. Create your FSA ID at  StudentAid.gov/fsaid

1. Go to fafsa.gov

One thing you don’t need in order to fill out the FAFSA? Money! Remember, the FAFSA is FREE when you use the official .gov site: fafsa.gov.

2. Log in using your FSA ID

If you completed a FAFSA last year: Click “Login” and enter your FSA ID. If you haven’t transitioned your PIN to an FSA ID, you can do so here. If possible, make sure you link your PIN during the FSA ID registration process. Otherwise, you will need to wait 1-3 days before you can use your FSA ID to sign and submit your renewal FAFSA.

If this is your first time completing the FAFSA: Click “Start a new FAFSA” and enter your FSA ID. If you haven’t created an FSA ID yet, you can do that here. You will be able to use your FSA ID to sign and submit your new FAFSA right away.

If you are a parent: Click “login” and “Enter the student’s information”.

3. Choose which FAFSA you’d like to complete

The new FAFSA that becomes available on January 1, 2016, is the 2016–17 FAFSA. You should complete the 2016–17 FAFSA if you will be attending college between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017. Remember, the FAFSA is not a one-time thing. You must complete your FAFSA each school year.

Note: The 2015–16 FAFSA is also available if you will be attending college between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016, and you haven’t applied for financial aid yet.

4. Enter your personal information*

This is information like your name, date of birth, etc. If you have completed the FAFSA in the past, a lot of your personal information will be pre-populated to save you time. Make sure you enter your personal information exactly as it appears on official government documents. (That’s right, no nicknames.)

5. Enter your financial information*

All of it. You should use income records for the tax year prior to the academic yearfor which you are applying. For example, if you are filling out the 2016–17 FAFSA, you will need to use 2015 tax information. If you or your parent(s) haven’t filed your 2015 taxes yet, which at this point, most people haven’t, you can always estimate the amounts using your 2014 tax return; just make sure to update your FAFSA once you file your 2015 taxes. Once you file your taxes, you may be able to automatically import your tax information into the FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. It makes completing the FAFSA super easy!

6. Choose up to 10 schools

Two-thirds of freshmen FAFSA applicants list only one college on their applications. Don’t make this mistake! Make sure you add any school you plan to attend, even if you haven’t applied or been accepted yet. You can add up to 10 schools to your FAFSA at a time. We will send the necessary information over to the schools you listed so they can calculate the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive.  If you’re applying to more than 10 schools, this is what you do.

7. Sign the document with your FSA ID*

Your FSA ID serves as your electronic signature, or e-signature. You’ll use it to electronically sign and submit your FAFSA. If you don’t have an FSA ID, you’ll need to get one. If you’re considered a dependent student, at least one of your parents or your legal guardian will need an FSA ID as well. You will use your FSA ID to renew/correct your FAFSA each school year, so keep it in a safe place. If you have forgotten your FSA ID, you can retrieve it. If you have siblings, your parent can use the same FSA ID to sign FAFSAs for all his or her children.

*If you are considered a dependent student, your parent(s) will also need to do this.

I’m finished. What’s next?

That’s it. You’ve filled it out. I told you it wasn’t so bad. With the hard part over, check out this page to learn what you should do next.

7 Things You Need Before You Fill Out the FAFSA

If you are a Senior going to to a community college, technical school or college or university hopefully you are starting to think about filling out the FAFSA. The FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  This is how you find out if you are eligible for student loans, grants and even work study.  If you are in the A+ program one of the requirements is that you complete the FAFSA.  Below is some information taken from "Homeroom", the official blog of the U.S. Department of Education.




7 Things you Need: 
If you need financial aid to help you pay for college, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The 2016–17 FAFSA is available on January 1, 2016, at 12 a.m. Central Time. You should fill it out (for FREE) on the official government site, fafsa.gov.

To speed up the FAFSA process, get prepared early. Here is what you’ll need to fill out the FAFSA:

1. Your FSA ID*

On May 15, 2015, we changed the way you log into the FAFSA. You now need an FSA ID, instead of a PIN, to log in and sign your FAFSA online.

Anyone who plans to fill out the 2016–17 FAFSA should create an FSA ID as soon as possible. In some situations, you may need to wait up to 3 days to use your FSA ID after registering. If you want to avoid FAFSA delays, register for an FSA ID now.

If you are required to provide parent information on your FAFSA, your parent will need to register for an FSA ID too. Because your FSA ID is equivalent to your signature, parents and students each need to create their own FSA IDs using separate e-mail addresses. Parents should not create an FSA ID for their child and vice versa.

2. Your Social Security number*

You can find the number on your social security card. If you don’t have access to it, and don’t know where it is, ask your parent or legal guardian or get a new or replacement social security card from the Social Security Administration. If you are not a U.S. citizen, but meet Federal Student Aid’s basic eligibility requirements, you’ll need your Alien Registration Number.

3. Your driver’s license number

If you don’t have a driver’s license, then don’t worry about this step.

4. Your tax records*

Use income records for the tax year prior to the academic year for which you are applying: so if you are filling out the 2016–17 FAFSA, you will need 2015 tax information. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, don’t worry! You can still fill out the FAFSA now. Just estimate the amounts using your 2014 tax return and make sure to update your FAFSA once you file your 2015 taxes. After you file, you may be able to import your tax information electronically into the FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

5. Records of your untaxed income*

This includes variables that may or may not apply to you, like child support received, interest income and veterans non-education benefits. Parents can find specific details here. Students can find details here.

6. Records of all your assets (money)*

This includes savings and checking account balances, as well as investments like stocks and bonds and real estate.

7. List of the school(s) you are interested in attending

Two-thirds of freshmen FAFSA applicants list only one college on their applications. Don’t make this mistake! Be sure to list any school you’re considering, even if you haven’t applied or been accepted yet. The schools you list on your FAFSA will automatically receive your FAFSA results electronically. They will use your FAFSA information to determine the types and amounts of financial aid you may receive. If you add a school to your FAFSA and decide not to apply, that’s OK. The school likely won’t award you aid until you’ve been accepted anyway. You can list up to 10 schools on your FAFSA. If you’re applying to more than 10 schools, you can add more later.

TIP:  To be considered for state aid, several states require you to list schools in a particular order (for instance, you might need to list a state school first). Find out whether your state has a requirement for the order in which you list schools on your FAFSA.

*If you’re a dependent student, you will need this information for your parent(s) as well.

Who's My Parent When I Fill Out the FAFSA?

To get to a better version of this flow chart go HERE.

Completing the FAFSA

Many of you have been asking about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (otherwise known as the FAFSA) How you complete it, when the deadlines are and so on.  I hope this serves as a way for you and your family to get the information that you need.  If you are the first student to attend college from your family then this can feel like a complicated process.  Thankfully, there's several resources available to assist you.  The first thing that you should know is that 

you do NOT pay anything to complete the FAFSA. If you find that the website that you are on is asking for money know that you are not on a credible website.

One of the things that you can do now, is get a Federal Student Aid PIN.  To do this go to: www.pin.ed.gov and provide some information such as:

• your Social Security number
• your full and correct last name
• your full and correct first name
• your middle initial
• your date of birth
• your street address
• your email address (optional) 

From there you can create your own PIN or have the site create one for you. You can also choose to have the PIN displayed immediately, mailed or emailed to you. 

It's important that once you receive your PIN that you put it in a safe place.  You will need this every year that you reapply for financial aid.  It's also information that you do not want falling into the wrong hands.  Your PIN enables you to sign your FAFSA, sign federal student loan contracts online, find out whether your FAFSA has been processed or correct information that you reported on your FAFSA. 

Once you have obtained your PIN you will go to www.fafsa.gov to complete the FAFSA.

Something of the things that you will want to make sure you have available before you begin your application are: 

• Social Security card
• Drivers license
• Permanent Resident Receipt Card (if applicable)
• W-2 forms and other 2014 records of money earned
• 2014 income tax return (see the instructions on the FAFSA if the tax return has not been completed)
• Records of child support paid
• Records of taxable earnings from Federal Work-Study or other need-based work programs
• Records of student grant, scholarship and fellowship aid, including AmeriCorps awards, that was included in your (or your parents’) AGI
• Current stock, bond, and other investment records
• Current business and farm records
• Current bank statements

For further instructions and resources these links may be helpful: 

• FAFSA on the web worksheet go HERE
• Completing the FAFSA Booklet go HERE 
• Expected Family Contribution go HERE

If feel like you need further help you may want to attend FAFSA Frenzy at Missouri Western State University on February 22nd from 2:00-4:00.  The FAFSA Frenzy is a place where you can go and get free assistance with completing the FAFSA.  Please be sure to click the link above if you go so that you will have all of the proper documentation that you will need. Remember too, that the financial aid office at the college you've selected can be a great resource as well. 

You may also go HERE to access the financial aid presentation that was held at NPHS this fall.    

Good luck!

Financial Aid Overview

If you are going to be a graduating in May, and you are planning on attending college, you probably need information about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Last Wednesday, Jessica Hills from Missouri Western State University came to North Platte and presented information about completing the FAFSA and the financial aid process.  You can find a link to her presentation HERE. Below is a video that also does a good job of explaining the process.  Remember, you can apply after January 1st and it's always best to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to meet your colleges priority deadline. March 1st is the priority deadline for many federal and state assistance opportunities. Fore more information go HERE.

Free Tax Preparation for Seniors & Families

Save your MONEY!

Get your taxes done for FREE!

You can get free tax preparation assistance

from IRS certified

VITA/TCE preparer.

You could qualify for the

Earned Income Tax Credit

for up to $6,044.

Tax preparation sites in many locations across

Northern Missouri!(see back)

To schedule your appointment, contact the location nearest you.

For more information, call Kathy at Universityof Missouri Extension

in Andrew County at 816-324-3147.

EARN IT. KEEP IT. SAVE IT.

 

University of Missouri, Lincoln University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Local Extension Councils Cooperating

an ADA/equal opportunity institution

Please let us know if you have any disability that requires special materials or services.

Dr. Rebecca J. Travnichek, AFC^®

& Dr. Meridith Berry

will prepare

·        Form 1040

(With Schedule A, B, C-EZ, C,

EIC & R)

·        Form 1040-ES

·        Form 2441

·        Form 8863

·        Form 8812

·        Injured Spouse

·        State income tax returns [Let tax site know at the time you make your appointment if you have income from states other than MO, KS, and IA.]

Dr. Rebecca J. Travnichek, AFC^®

& Dr. Meridith Berry

will NOT prepare

·        Complicated &

Advanced Schedule D

·        Form SS-5

·        Form 2106

·        Form 3903

·        Form 8606

·        Form 8615

·        Business

Please see a paid preparer forassistance with complicated returns.

Here is what you MUST bring:

·        Government issued Photo Id (Driver’s License) for taxpayer and spouse.[You must bring with you.]

·        Valid Social Security cards or ITIN numbers for taxpayer, spouse, and all dependents.[You must bring with you.]

·        Birthdates of all persons to be listed on the tax return. If married and filing jointly, both spouses should be present.

·        All wage and income statements for 2013 (e.g., W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-MISC, forms).

·        Interest and dividend statements from financial institutions (Form 1099-INTs) if applicable.

·        Proof of day-care expenses paid in 2013 including: provider’s name, address, phone number, and federal ID number, amount paid to provider.

·        A copy of last year’s federal and state returns.

·        MO Rent Credit-name, address, telephone #, & SSN or EIN of landlord; and letter of amount rent paid from landlord.

·        To direct deposit your refunds, bring a checkbook or savings book with you to verify the account and bank routing numbers.

Locations to call for appointments:

Savannah (816.324.3147)–Jan. 27-30+

St. Joseph (816.279.1691)–Jan. 31

Trenton (660.359.4040, ext. 8)–Feb. 7& 14

Unionville (660.947.2990)–Feb. 10-14

Princeton (660.748.3315)–Feb. 10

Bethany (660.425.6434)–Feb. 11

MWSU Campus–Feb. 15-16

Gallatin (660.663.3232)–Feb. 19-21

SALT-Chillicothe (660.247.1495)–Feb. 21

Rock Port (660.744.6231)–Feb. 24-25

Oregon (660.446.3724)–March 3-4

Cameron (816.324.3147)–March 6-7

Milan (660.265.4541)–March 6

Plattsburg (816.539.3765)–March 11-12

Maryville (660.582.8101)–March 13-14

Albany (660.726.5610)–March 20

Grant City (660.564.3363)–March 21