Applying for Financial Aid

Create an FSA ID

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

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

There are no Handouts for this set.

U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency

Handouts list view Handouts card view

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.
Title Description File type
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.
.pdf
Social Security Card Application
  • Complete this form and bring it with you to the Social Security Administration to update your records.
.pdf
Closest Social Security Office
.pdf

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
Title Description File type
Department of Homeland Security
  • Your rights and responsibilities as a Permanent Resident are on this document.
.pdf
DHS Change of Address form
  • This form needs to be sent to the Department of Homeland Security for processing.
.pdf

Miscellaneous Downloads

Brochures

This category has other information to help you understand financial aid and your credit.

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

(.pdf, 48K)
Download Financial Aid Glossary
A brochure about the importance of your credit score, what goes into it and how to clean it up.
(.pdf, 493K)
Download Credit Brochure
This is the book that EdFund printed last year that has a lot of good information. 
(.pdf, 3464K)
Download EdFund Booklet