What information do you need to complete the FAFSA?

What information do you need to complete the FAFSA?

What information do you need to complete the FAFSA?

• YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

• 2009 W-2 FORMS AND OTHER RECORDS OF MONEY EARNED

• YOUR 2009 FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN

• YOUR 2009 UNTAXED INCOME RECORDS

• YOUR ALIEN REGISTRATION NUMBER (IF YOU ARE NOT A U.S. citizen).

There are three categories of federal student aid, grants, work-study and loans.  Federal student aid covers expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies and transportation.  Aid also can help pay for a computer and for dependent care.

Quick Reference

Quick Reference

This section is a quick reference to our federal student aid programs offered:

Federal Pell Grant

SEOG  - Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

National SMART Grant - National Science and Math Access Grant

ACG - ACADEMIC COMPETITIVENESS GRANT (graduated from high school after 1-2006)

TEACH - Teacher Education Assistance for College

Federal Work-Study

Federal Perkins Loan

FFEL Stafford Loan

FFEL Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

Direct or FFEL PLUS Loan

7 Steps for Financial Aid

7 Steps for Financial Aid

1. Get free information and help from your school counselor, the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend, or the U.S. Department of Education (ED) at www.FederalStudent Aid.ed.gov or 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Free help is available any time during the application process. You should never have to pay for help.

2. Get a Federal Student Aid PIN, a personal identification number. A PIN lets you apply, "sign" your online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), make corrections to your application information and more - so keep it safe. Go to www.pin.ed.gov to get one.

3. Collect the documents needed to apply, including income tax returns and W-2 forms (and other records of income). A full list of what you need is at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Tax return not completed at the time you apply? Estimate the tax information, apply, and correct information later.

4. Complete the FAFSA between Jan. 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011 (no exceptions to either date!). BUT, apply as soon as possible after Jan. 1 to meet school and state aid deadlines (see note at bottom of page). Apply online (the faster and easier way) by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you don't already have you PIN, you can get it when you complete the online FAFSA.

5. ED will send you your Student Aid Report (SAR) - the result of your FAFSA. Review your SAR and , if necessary, make changes or corrections and submit your SAR for reprocessing. Your complete, correct SAR will contain you Expected Family Contribution (EFC) - the number used to determine your federal student aid eligibility.

6. Your School might request additional information from you. Be sure to respond by any deadlines, or you might not receive federal student aid.

7. All applicants: contact the financial aid office if you have any questions about the aid being offered. First-time applicants: review award letters from schools to compare amounts and types of aid being offered. Decide which school to attend based on a combination of (a) how well the school suits your needs and (b) it affordability after all aid is taken into account.

NOTE:  You also might be able to get financial aid from your state government, your school or a private scholarship.  Research nonfederal aid early. Be sure to meet all application deadlines.

Taking Courses at Different Campuses?

Taking Courses at Different Campuses?

For students who will be taking classes at different institutions. The University of Central Oklahoma's Financial Aid Consortium Agreement allows students who are degree seeking at UCO, enrolled in the Organizational Leadership program, and are taking courses at other eligible host institutions to receive funding for the combined enrollment.

For purposes of this agreement, UCO will be referred to as the Home institution and the other institution(s) will be referred to as the Host institution(s). Courses taken at eligible host institutions should apply to the degree the student expects to receive and financial assistance from UCO. Students should seek assistance from Academic Advisors to determine if classes will apply to their degree plan..student's must notify UCO and Financial Aid Dept. if he/she drops the course(s), withdraws, stop attending, or changes enrollment at the host institution at any time during the semester. As stated in the UCO Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, academic progress is reviewed every semester; therefore, it is the student's responsibility to provide the Admissions and Records Office with an official copy of his/her transcript from the host institution at the end of the semester. Since the aid eligibility would include the enrollment from the host institution, failure to submit transfer grades may result in a repayment of all or a portion of the federal funds issued for the terms will not be disbursed until grades for the Consortium term have been added to the UCO transcript.