Financial Aid
Parents will need the following information to complete the FAFSA or TASFA:
- Your Social Security # (parents without a SSN# will input 9 zero’s)
- 2021 Tax return
- Checking/Saving Account balances
- Investment Net Worth (stocks, bonds, money market, real estate,etc.)
INFORMATION to assist you in understanding Financial Aid:
- Need more information about what financial aid is and why it is important? https://studentaid.gov/h/understand-aid/how-aid-works (Links to an external site.)
- FAFSA Parent Informational Video on Canvas: FINANCIAL AID
- Need additional help or have specific questions about how to answer a specific question? – San Jacinto College has a video and a Live Chat feature to assist you. https://www.sanjac.edu/financial-aid
Okay, Let’s Begin!!!
- If a student is not a citizen of the United States, STOP HERE. You will complete the TASFA to apply for state aid and will need the same documents as the federal FAFSA requires – mentioned in the Parent Information Video and the attachments. Mrs. Harrison will call students in this month to give instructions. The TASFA form is available online or on Counselor Canvas & College Corner – download to Notability.
- If a student is not planning on attending any college in 2023-2024, STOP HERE. A parent can sign an opt out form available through the counselor. This generally applies to students going straight into the work force or military. Contact Mrs. Harrison at [email protected] for the form.
STEP 1: FSA ID# is needed to complete/sign the FAFSA
- Create an FSA ID# by going to STUDENTAID.GOV and creating an account (use Google Chrome). You will need your Social Security number. Your Parent will also need to create an FSA ID #.
- You will have to verify your phone # and email address at the end; then you will receive an email within 3 business days confirming your FSA ID#. You will use this FSA ID# for several years, so make sure you save it in a secure place. Are you getting errors while filing this out? Swing by the Counseling Office or call 1-800-433-3243.
-Continue on and complete the 2023-24 FAFSA Form
STEP 2: FAFSA Qualification Notification
- You will receive an email from FAFSA in about 2 weeks. Federal Student Aid processes your FAFSA application and sends you a Student Aid Report (SAR). On your Student Aid Report (SAR), you will receive an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on the results of the information you provided on your FAFSA. The EFC is an initial estimate based on the information you provided on your FAFSA application, and will be used by your college(s) to determine your eligibility for federal student aid.
- In the Spring, you will decide if you want to accept any part of the Financial Aid award through FAFSA. This will be done through your College Portal website or through your College Financial Aid Office. We strongly recommend that you sit down with a parent and Financial Aid Advisor from the college to determine the best course of action when accepting financial aid. Loans should only be used when absolutely necessary.
- You will complete the FAFSA each year in October while attending college.
STEP 4: Do you need more information about how Financial Aid works?
-Follow the link below for more information about financial aid options and what steps you will complete in the Spring to claim any financial aid awards that you choose to accept. https://studentaid.gov/h/understand-aid/how-aid-works (Links to an external site.)
If you need additional help, please stop by the Counseling Office for assistance or email Mrs. Harrison at [email protected] .
