Financial Aid Home > Frequently Asked Questions > FAQ: Applying for aid, what is the FAFSA and how does it work?

Q: What is the FAFSA?
A: FAFSA stands for "Free Application for Federal Student Aid". It is the federal form that is required to determine your eligibility for financial aid. After The Central Processing Service has processed your FAFSA, you will receive an email or paper Student Aid Report (SAR). At the same time, a copy of your SAR will be sent electronically to all the schools you've listed on the FAFSA. Fielding Graduate University (federal school code G20961) needs to be listed on your FAFSA in order for your financial aid application to be processed. You must complete the FAFSA before we can begin the financial aid awarding process. If you have not yet completed the FAFSA, you can file your application online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you do not have an electronic PIN number, please be sure to print out the "signature page", sign it and return it to the federal processor at the address they provide. Your FAFSA will not be processed or financial need determined until it is signed via paper form or electronic signature.

Q: I have filed the FAFSA. Now what?
A: To apply for loans at Fielding Graduate University, you must also complete the Financial Aid Handbook and Forms accordingly; please see instructions on what forms to complete on pages 4 and 5 of the Handbook. Fielding Graduate University will not know that you are applying for financial aid until we receive your completed Financial Aid Handbook forms.

Q: The Fielding Graduate University FA handbook tells me to submit certain forms if my FAFSA has been "selected for verification", but I don't know if it has?
A: A comment on your Student Aid Report (SAR) will tell that your FAFSA has been selected for verification. Additionally, a "*" will appear next to your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).

Q: On my SAR there's a "*" after the EFC figure under the date. What does that mean?
A: Your FAFSA has been selected for verification. You may need to supply additional documentation to FAFSA or the Fielding Financial Aid Office. Financial Aid Office will ask you for specific documents needed to conduct the required verification process. This process is used to make sure the information the student reported is accurate. Verification prevents ineligible students from receiving aid and ensures that eligible students receive all the aid for which they qualify.

Q: Do I need a Social Security Number to apply for federal student financial aid?
A: Generally, you must have a Social Security Number (SSN) to be eligible for federal student financial aid. If you submit a FAFSA without an SSN, your FAFSA will be returned unprocessed.

Q: Why do my first name and last name need to match that of my SSN?
A: The U.S. Department of Education mandates that your first name and last name match that of your Social Security Number (SSN). Please note that the federal government requires a complete match with the Social Security Office. If your name and/or SSN do not match, we will not be able to complete your financial aid application and will need a copy of your SSN card. This is to avoid fraud and to protect the Stafford Loan program from abuse.

Q: Is it better to wait until the income tax forms have been completed before submitting the FAFSA?
A: No. Submit the FAFSA as soon as you are able. Do not wait until your taxes are done. Although it is better to do your taxes early, it is okay to use estimates of your income, so long as they aren't far off from the actual values. When you do file your taxes, you will have to go back to your FAFSA and make corrections. Keep in mind that if you wait too long to file your tax forms, your student loan disbursements will be received late and you will have to make the tuition payment on your own.

Q: Do I have to submit a new FAFSA every year?
Yes. If you did a FAFSA in the past, you can do a Renewal FAFSA. It is easier to complete a renewal FAFSA than a new FAFSA. You can leave information that has not changed from the prior year. In order to do this, you must save your PIN or you may apply for a new one at www.PIN.ed.gov

Q: I'm not sure if I want to take out a student loan. What should I enter for the question asking if I am interested in student loans?
A: Answer "yes" so you do not limit your options. Most students do take out the student loans that are included in their financial aid award but you are not obligated to accept any aid listed in your award letter. You can always decline loans if you decide that you do not want them.

Q: Why must I report the highest school level my parents completed?
A: Some states and schools make money available to support students who are first-generation college students. It also serves statistical purposes. If you don't know the answer, select "Other/unknown."

Q: If I'm in the National Guard or Reserves, am I considered a veteran for purposes of filling out the FAFSA?
A: No. You are not considered a veteran if you have never engaged in active duty service in the US Armed Forces. Active duty for training as a Reservist does not count. Current ROTC students and Service Academy cadets/midshipman are also not considered veterans.

You are considered a veteran if (1) you have engaged in active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces, are a member of the National Guard or Reserves who was called to active duty for purposes other than training, or were a cadet/midshipman at one of the service academies and (2) were released under a condition other than dishonorable. Also, if you don't meet the above criteria now, but will by June 30th of the year in which you are filling out the FAFSA you may answer "Yes". If you answer "Yes" to the veteran status question on the FAFSA, the Department of Veterans Affairs will be contacted for verification.

Q: If I (the student) am separated but filed a joint tax return, how is the information reported?
A: Only your portion of the exemptions, income, and taxes paid and the proper documentation is needed to verify your separation to the financial aid office at Fielding.

Q: My spouse and I filed our taxes separately. If requested by Fielding to submit my tax return, do I need to submit both tax returns to Fielding?
A: Yes.

Q: I no longer have last year's federal tax returns. What should I do?
A: You can obtain a copy of your federal tax return. Please visit www.irs.gov and get a copy of form 4506. You can also get form 4506 by visiting an IRS office or by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040.

Q: I did not file taxes last year because I was not required to. What should I do?
A: Select "Not Filing" as the answer to the associated FAFSA question. And please complete the non-filer form page number 11 of the Fielding FA Handbook.

Q: Who qualifies to be counted in the number in college?
A: Any person, not including your parents, who is counted in the household and will be attending any term of the academic year at least halftime. The enrolled household member must attend an eligible program at an eligible institution. To be counted in the number in college, the person must also be working toward a recognized education credential at a postsecondary school eligible for Title IV funds (i.e. a school eligible to participate in federal student aid programs).