FAFSA 101
DON’T FORGET. . .
The 2023-2024 FAFSA is open (valid Fall 23/Spring 24/Summer 24-goes by 2021 taxes)-APPLY TODAY!
If you’re applying for financial aid for Spring 2024 and/or Summer 2024, you will need to complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA.
The 2024-2025 FAFSA is also open (valid Fall 24/Spring 25/Summer 25-goes by 2022 taxes)-APPLY TODAY!
If you’re applying for financial aid for FALL 2024, Spring 2025, and/or Summer 2025, you will need to complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
Applying for Financial Aid
The first step in applying for financial aid at GHC is to complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is FREE! Never pay to complete your FAFSA! All you need to do is visit the federal aid website to get started. The FAFSA is the first step to receiving federal student aid such as the Pell Grant, FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant), FWS (Federal Work Study) funding, and Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized/Unsubsidized/Parent PLUS).
Don’t forget to include the GHC School Code (009507) on your FAFSA!
Step One-Set up your FSA ID
The FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and when you electronically sign federal student aid documents. You can create an FSA ID and password when logging into your FAFSA. For more information on the FSA ID, click HERE.
Step Two-Get Documents & Information
Gather the documents and information needed to fill out your FAFSA:
- Your federal tax returns and any associated Schedules along with your W2s or 1099s (if applicable)
- Your parent/stepparent/spouse federal tax returns and any associated Schedules along with their W2s or 1099s (if (applicable). Your parent/stepparent/spouse are now known as your Contributors for 2425.
- Your social security number, address, household information (how many live in household), email address, and FSA ID/password (if applicable) to electronically sign the FAFSA
- Contributors (Parent/stepparent/spouse) Social Security Number, address, household information (how many live in household), email address for each, and FSA ID/password (if applicable) to electronically sign the FAFSA
- The list of schools you want your FAFSA to be sent to.
Tip: Click HERE for Federal Student Aid guidance on what makes you a dependent student, parental information, and what is required on the FAFSA.
Tip: It is recommended for students and Contributors (parent/stepparent/spouse) who filed taxes to try and use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (now known as the FA-DDX for 2425 and which stands for FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange) if possible. Once you have filed your taxes electronically, you must wait 2-3 weeks for the information to be available via this option. If you mail in your tax returns, you must wait at least 6 weeks before your tax information will be available via this option. Using this option will GREATLY reduce your chances of being chosen for the Verification process.
Tip: Make sure that you enter the correct name and social security numbers for everyone who is included on your FAFSA. Incorrect names (nicknames or shortened names) and incorrect social security numbers can result in your FAFSA being rejected. This could cause considerable time delays.
Tip: Not signing the FAFSA electronically (you and your contributors if applicable) can also cause your FAFSA to be rejected.
Step Three-Fill out the FAFSA
Go to the federal aid website to submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Note that there are “Help” boxes on the FAFSA to assist you with the questions and to help you navigate it properly. Reading the instructions carefully and double checking your information will help to ensure that you are providing the correct information. At the end of the application, you will be asked to “sign” your application. You will do this electronically with your FSA ID and password. If you are a Dependent student, your Contributors (parent/stepparent if applicable) will be required to sign your FAFSA with their FSA ID and password (your FAFSA cannot be processed if the parent signature is missing). To know whether you are a Dependent or Independent student, click HERE. After signing the FAFSA, click the submit button and wait for confirmation that your application has been submitted. A confirmation will be sent to the email that you provided on the FAFSA.
Tip: You must choose the FAFSA application for the correct aid year. An aid year encompasses fall/spring/summer. For example, the 2324 aid year encompasses fall 23/spring 24/summer 24-goes by 2021 taxes, and the 2425 aid year encompasses fall 24/spring 25/summer 25-goes by 2022 taxes,.
Step Four-Monitor the Status of Your FAFSA
The FAFSA can take from 5-7 business days to be sent to the schools listed on your FASFA. Make sure you read the (SAR) Student Aid Report (now known as your FAFSA Submission Summary for 2425) that is sent to you at the email you provided on the FAFSA. You can also check your SAR/FAFSA Submission Summary by logging back into your FAFSA. If your (EFC) Expected Family Contribution Amount (now known as your SAI for 2425 which stands for Student Aid Index) number on the SAR/FAFSA Submission Summary has an asterisk (*) next to it, you have been selected for the Verification process. If your FAFSA is selected for the Verification process, you will be required to submit additional documentation and information to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at the college you will be attending. You will do this by creating an account on the Verification page of the FA website (all information and/or documentation will be submitted electronically). The Verification process can take up to two weeks to complete once all required information and/or documentation is received.
To monitor the status of your FAFSA at Georgia Highlands College:
1.Monitor your Charger Portal:
- Log into your Charger Portal
- In the Financial Aid section, click on the Financial Aid link.
- Select the appropriate aid year (encompasses fall, spring, and summer).
- Click on the Offers link.
2.You can access your class schedule information, charges including tuition/fees, financial aid/payment information, and any balances owed/refunds due on your Schedule/Bill.
3.You can also email finaid@highlands.edu for updates.
Click here for common mistakes students make on the FAFSA.
For additional guidance on the FAFSA and Verification, reference this information on the Federal Student Aid website.
Non-U.S.Citizens may be eligible for aid. Please click HERE to see if you are eligible to receive aid.