Applying for Financial Aid

Create an FSA ID

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FAFSA for First Timers

✅ Step 1: Create an FSA ID

  • Go to studentaid.gov

  • Click “Create Account” (FSA ID)

  • You'll need:

    • Social Security Number (SSN)

    • Email address

    • Mobile phone number

    • Username and password

  • Your parent must also create their own FSA ID if you're a dependent student

✅ Tip: Write down your FSA ID login! You’ll need it every year.

FAFSA

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Completing Your FAFSA

📝 Step 2: Collect the Info You’ll Need

Here’s what you (and your parents, if dependent) will need:

  • 2023 tax returns (for 2025–2026 FAFSA)

  • Social Security Numbers (SSNs)

  • Records of untaxed income (e.g., child support)

  • Current bank account balances

  • Any investment or asset info

  • Your school list (you can send FAFSA to up to 20 schools)

💻 Step 3: Complete the FAFSA Form

  • Visit studentaid.gov and click “Complete the FAFSA Form”

  • Select: 2025–2026 FAFSA

  • Follow the prompts — much of your info will be pulled directly from the IRS through the Direct Data Exchange (DDX), with your consent

  • Add all the schools you’re applying to or attending

🕐 The FAFSA takes about 30–45 minutes to complete

🧾 Step 4: Sign and Submit

  • You (and your parent, if dependent) must sign with your FSA IDs

  • Submit your FAFSA

  • You’ll get a confirmation page — keep this for your records

📩 Step 5: Follow Up

  • Within a few days to a couple of weeks, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) summarizing your FAFSA info

  • Schools will use this to create your financial aid package

🎯 Next Steps:

  • Log in regularly to studentaid.gov to check status

  • Respond to any requests from your college (documents, verification, etc.)

  • Accept/decline aid from your school when your award letter arrives

❓Need Help?

FAFSA Worksheets

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While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.
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U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency

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  • Naturalization

     
    Congratulations! 
    In order for your financial aid to continue, please make sure that you alert the Social Security Administration that your citizenship status has changed.  If your new citizenship isn't changed here, any federal aid that you need for school or in the future, may be delayed or denied.  So complete it now!  It will save you many steps later.
    How to update my Social Security record
    • This document will take you through the steps you need to complete to update your Social Security records.  It will allow the Department of Education's information to match up with the FAFSA so you can continue to apply and receive financial aid.
    Required
    Changing my citizenship status on Social Security.pdf
    Social Security Card Application
    • Complete this form and bring it with you to the Social Security Administration to update your records.
    Required
    ss-5.pdf
    Closest Social Security Office
    Required
    Social Security Office near SCI-Arc.pdf
    While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.

  • Permanent Residents

    In order for you to attend SCI-Arc, your records with the Department of Homeland Security must match the information on your FAFSA.  So if you've moved since you originally received your Permanent Resident card, you are required to alert the Department of Homeland Security within 10 days of your move.  Please do this as soon as possible.  If you have already completed this, verify the address they have on file for you.  You are also able to change your address online DHS
    Department of Homeland Security
    • Your rights and responsibilities as a Permanent Resident are on this document.
    Required
    DHS Your Rights and Responsibilities.pdf
    DHS Change of Address form
    • This form needs to be sent to the Department of Homeland Security for processing.
    Required
    DHS Change of Address ar-11.pdf
    While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.
While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.
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Miscellaneous Downloads

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  • Brochures

    This category has other information to help you understand financial aid and your credit.
    Name Description Status Source
    Financial Aid Glossary

    This glossary will explain some of the terms used in “Financial Aid-ese”.

         		Required FINANCIAL_AID_GLOSSARY.pdf Edit Financial Aid Glossary Delete Financial Aid Glossary
    Credit Brochure
    A brochure about the importance of your credit score, what goes into it and how to clean it up.
         		Required i_am_just_a_number.pdf Edit Credit Brochure Delete Credit Brochure
    EdFund Booklet
    This is the book that EdFund printed last year that has a lot of good information. 
    		Required fyfworkbook.pdf Edit EdFund Booklet Delete EdFund Booklet
    While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.
While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.
Edit the following settings for all selected Resources.
Select a start and end date and time
Start: Start:
End: End: