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FAFSA Guide
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application for most types of financial aid at Indiana State University, including Federal and State aid. This is an annual application that needs to be completed each academic year you are attending.
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Important FAFSA Deadlines:
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If you do not submit a FAFSA, you may miss out on valuable information and aid. Most federal student aid programs require students to meet certain eligibility standards, visit http://ehpu.xfmlsp.com/financial-aid/eligibility for more information.
ISU FAFSA Guide Includes:
Steps to Apply | FAFSA FAQ | Making Changes | Rejected FAFSA Help | Resources
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Steps to Apply |
Create an FSA ID
The FSA ID is a username and password for Federal Student Aid. You will need an FSA ID to log into the FAFSA, as well as to electronically sign and submit your application.
- Visit http://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
- Follow the information on this website for creating a FSA ID.
- Keep your FSA ID in a safe place for future reference.
Note: If you are a dependent student, your parent will also need their own FSA ID for both FAFSA submission and Federal Parent PLUS loan applications. Check your dependency status.
Helpful Tips:
- You will use the same FSA ID for all future federal student aid processes (i.e. FAFSA, Entrance/Exit Counseling, managing loan information).
- Use your personal email address when you set up your account; avoid temporary email address (such as: High School).
- Do not allow someone to create your FSA ID for you, and you should not create one for someone else. Not even for a family member. This can cause problems with your financial aid down the road. Visit this page for detailed instructions.
- Federal Student Aid Customer Service can be reached at (800) 433-3243.
Complete your FAFSA
Students should complete this application. Parental guidance is encouraged; however the student should be the one to input the information to avoid unnecessary errors.
- Gather your information before you start:
- FSA ID
- Social Security Number
- Prior prior year tax information - What's that?
- Indiana State University school code: 001807
- Visit http://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- Select options for New Application or Returning User to get started!
- Once you start the application you can always save your progress up to 30 days.
- When you input your Federal Tax Information we highly encourage the use of the IRS data retrieval tool.
- Electronically sign the application with your FSA ID
- If you are dependent student, your parent will also need to sign the application with their own FSA ID.
- Once the application is successfully submitted you will receive a confirmation email, save this!
- FAFSA Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-4-FEDAID.
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FAFSA FAQ |
The FAFSA should be completed by the student with the student’s information. Here are some of the most frequent questions students have when completing the FAFSA. Click the question to show/hide the answer.
Do I have to complete a FAFSA every year?
Yes, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year.
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) requires residents of Indiana to complete the FAFSA (including clearing all critical errors and missing information) by April 15th of the upcoming award year in order to determine eligibility for state grants/scholarships.
ISU must have correct and complete information by your last day of enrollment. The final date to submit the FAFSA for federal aid is June 30th. For important FAFSA dates, refer to these dates and deadlines.
What is the Indiana State University School Code?
Our school code is 001807
What name should I use on the FAFSA?
The student should use their full legal name as it appears on their social security card. For example: Robert vs. Bob.
What if I don't know my Social Security Number (SSN) or I need to request a new card?
It is essential that you input the correct SSN in order for us to receive your FAFSA. If you aren't sure what your SSN is, contact the Social Security Administration at http://ssa.gov/ssnumber/.
What degree should I indicate I'm working on?
- If you recently graduated high school, you are most likely working on your 1st Bachelor's Degree.
- If you recently obtained your Bachelor's degree and are continuing your education you are most likely working towards a college graduate/professional degree (e.g. MBA, MD, PhD, etc.).
- For more assistance visit http://studentaid.gov/2021/help/degree-certificate.
Which year's income and tax information is required?
Because the FAFSA will ask for prior-prior income and tax information, you will already have done your taxes by the time you fill out your FAFSA. You may be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) to automatically import your tax information into your FAFSA. (Learn more about the IRS DRT at http://studentaid.gov/2021/help/irs-drt. Use this chart to identify which tax information is required:
Why do I have to provide parent/stepparent information on the FAFSA?
The federal government has established criteria for classifying financial aid applicants as dependent or independent. Click here to check your dependency status.
If you are dependent, your parents' assets and income as well as your own are needed to evaluate your financial need. If you are independent, your need is evaluated solely on your (and if married your spouse’s) income and assets.
If you are independent, parental information will not be required. If you were considered an independent student for financial aid purposes at a previous school based on a professional judgment, you do not automatically qualify for independent status at Indiana State University.
What parent(s) should be listed on the FAFSA?
A legal parent includes a biological or adoptive parent, or a person that the state has determined to be your parent (for example, when a state allows another person’s name to be listed as a parent on a birth certificate). Grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, older brothers or sisters, widowed stepparents, and aunts and uncles are not considered parents unless they have legally adopted you. Legal guardianship does not qualify as legal adoption.
Use the table below to determine whose information to provide on the FAFSA based on your parents’ marital status.
I have a child; why am I not considered independent?
In order to be considered independent, you (the student) must submit documentation demonstrating that you provide over 50% of your child’s care. If the documents you turned in do not indicate this, you will be considered a dependent student. You will be required to add your parent(s) information on the FAFSA.
My parent's don't support me financially, why am I not considered independent?
You can’t be considered independent of your parents just because they refuse to help you with this process. If you do not provide their information on the FAFSA form, the application will be considered “rejected,” and you might not be able to receive any federal student aid. For information on filing a FAFSA under these circumstances: visit: http://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/parent-info#unwilling-parents.
What should I do if my family's income has changed drastically since I completed the FAFSA?
You must report the information the FAFSA asks for. If your family's income has changed substantially since the required tax year, you may have options. Talk to the Financial Aid Office about your family's situation for guidance.
What should I do if my family experiences unusual circumstances not included on the FAFSA?
You will need to complete and submit a Special Circumstances Appeal Form and supporting documentation to the Office of Student Financial Aid. The form outlines the types of requests we can consider. Depending upon your circumstances, we encourage you to submit the form as soon as possible.
Each appeal is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Any adjustments made to your FAFSA will be submitted to the federal processor for a recalculation of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). You will be notified in writing when your appeal form has been reviewed.
What happens if I file my FAFSA after April 15th?
April 15th is an important state of Indiana deadline used to determine eligibility for state funds, such as the 21st Century Scholarship or the Indiana Higher Education Award. If you are making FAFSA edits/corrections (such as missing signature or tax filing status) you must submit these by April 15th.
Failure to submit your FAFSA by April 15th could result in loss of current & future state funds. However, you may still be eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant and/or to apply for Federal Direct Loans.
Where can I get more information about (and help with) the FAFSA?
- Start with Indiana State University’s friendly Financial Aid Team – contact us. We can help point you in the right direction.
- Visit www.StudentAid.gov/fafsa. As you fill out your FAFSA at fafsa.gov, you can refer to help text for every question and chat online with a customer service representative (during business hours).
- 1-800-4-FEDAID is available 24 hours a day.
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Making Changes |
Need to make corrections to your FAFSA? FAFSA errors create issues with your financial aid eligibility and can prevent on-time disbursement of your aid. Correcting these problems is simple. Follow the steps below:
- Go to fafsa.gov
- Click the log in button Returning Students
- On the “My FAFSA” page, select “Make FAFSA Corrections.”
- Create a save key
- Edit the appropriate section
- Resign & Submit
If you're a dependent student, parent signature is required to resubmit the FAFSA.
For assistance, start with Indiana State University’s friendly Financial Aid Team – contact us. We can help point you in the right direction. You may also contact 1-800-4-FEDAID as they are available 24 hours a day.
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Rejected FAFSA Help |
Have you been notified that your FAFSA was rejected? You will need to make a correction to set things right. Below are some common reasons why a FAFSA will be rejected, click the error type to show/hide the resolution.
Missing Signature(s) Error
Follow the steps provided above in Making Changes to fix this issue. Remember, if you are considered a dependent student - a parent signature is required.
Income Tax Error
This error occurs when the income tax amount is greater than or equal to the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
Dependent Student: The amount you reported for taxes paid by you or your parent(s) appears to be incorrect based on the amount you reported for their adjusted gross income. Review the FAFSA section(s), then either confirm the amount of taxes paid by re-entering it or make the necessary corrections.
Independent Student: The amount you reported for your taxes paid appears to be incorrect based on the amount you reported for your adjusted gross income. Review FAFSA section, then either confirm the amount of taxes paid by re-entering it or make the necessary corrections.
Dependency Error
This error generally happens because you were unable to answer yes to any of the dependency questions on the FAFSA. Because of that, the FAFSA has considered you to be a dependent student. Follow the steps provided above for Making Changes to fix this issue. Remember, if you are considered a dependent you will need to include parent information on the FAFSA. If you are unsure of your dependency status:
- Review the FAFSA Dependency Status questions at http://ehpu.xfmlsp.com/financial-aid/dependency-status
- Review the FAFSA FAQ section above to see if your question is answered.
- Reach out to our friendly financial aid staff to see if you qualify for being independent.
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Resources |
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