Completing the FAFSA

The FSA ID allows students and parents to access and electronically sign the online version of the FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, with a user-selected username and password. The FSA ID is a username and password that has replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN and must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign federal student aid documents. If you do not already have an FSA ID, you can create one when logging in to fafsa.gov, the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS®), StudentLoans.gov, StudentAid.gov, and Agreement to Serve (ATS).

This login process is secure, eliminating the need for students and parents to provide personally identifiable information (such as name, date of birth, and social security number) every time they access U.S. Department of Education websites. It also permits self-service password retrieval by email and name changes (e.g. marriage). The new FSA ID will provide a single sign-on for accessing all of the Department of Education's student and parent websites, such as FAFSA on the Web, National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and StudentLoans.gov.

FSA ID requirements:

• FSA ID username must be at least six alphanumeric characters.
• If you are a dependent student, the parent signing your application will also need a PIN.
• Password must be 8-30 alphanumeric characters.
• Password may not match the individual's name, Social Security Number or date of birth.
• Everyone will be required to change his or her password at least once every two years.
• When choosing a password, remember that the FSA ID is also an electronic signature used to sign the FAFSA, loan promissory notes and other legal documents.
• Each FSA ID must be associated with a different email address, so parents and students must have their own email address.
• Verify your E-mail. (This is optional, but helpful. By verifying your email address, you can use your email address as your username when logging into certain ED website. Also, FSA will be able to notify you by email of changes to your account. This verification also allows you to retrieve your username or reset your password without answering challenge questions.)
• Parents may not use their own email address for a dependent student, the student must have his/her own email address.
• Verify your mobile number (This is optional, but helpful. This verification allows you to retrieve your username or reset your password without answering challenge question.)
• A test email message will be sent to the email address to confirm its validity.

Additional information on the FSA ID is available on the Federal Student Aid website. Create your new FSA ID here or follow the steps provided on the Federal Student Aid website.

Federal Student Aid is pleased to announce that students and parents may download the myStudentAid app for free from both the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) stores.

On the app, you will be able to:

• complete the FAFSA safely and securely from your mobile device
• edit/manage an FSA ID
• view federal student loan and aid history
• stay up to date on student financial aid products, processes, and services
• access contact information for FSA's contact centers

download the myStudentAid app from Google Play

download the myStudentAid app from Apple App Store

You will need records of income earned in the year prior to when you will start school. You will need the following information and documents to complete the FAFSA:

• Your Social Security card. It is important that you enter your Social Security Number correctly!
• Your driver's license (if any)
• W-2 forms and other records of money earned
• Your (and if married, your spouse's) 2016 Federal Income Tax Return.
• IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ
• Foreign Tax Return, or
• Tax Return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federal States of Micronesia, or Palau
  • Your Parents' Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
  • Your most recent untaxed income records
  • Your current bank statements
  • Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records
  • Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

You may also need records of your parents' income (PDF) information if you are a dependent student (PDF).

Data Retrieval Process

To organize your information, you can print and complete a FAFSA on the Web Worksheet before you begin entering your information online. However, you are not required to do so. FAFSA on the Web will guide you through the questions that you must answer, and you can save your application and return to it later if you don't have the information you need to answer any of the questions.

Keep these records! You may need them again. Do not mail your records to Federal Student Aid.

Reminder: If selected for verification you will need to provide tax transcripts instead of tax returns to the Financial Aid Office.

1. File early and on time. Don’t wait to apply for financial aid when it is time to register for classes.
2. Mistakes on the FAFSA can delay the processing of your application. One easy mistake is leaving blank fields that don’t apply to you. Always be sure to write an “0” instead in such instances. The online version of the application will help alert you when you have improperly left fields open.
3. Create an FSA ID for yourself and log in to your account. Make sure your name, birthday, and social security number are correct. If you are a dependent student, your parent(s) will also need an account.
4. Log into your FAFSA using your FSA ID, and complete the online application. If possible, click "Link to IRS" to import your tax information electronically to your FAFSA. It will fill in most of your tax information automatically if successful.
5. Make sure you include Central Piedmont Community College’s school code (002915).
6. Answer the dependency status questions. In the dependency status section, you’ll be asked a series of specific questions to determine whether you are required to provide parent information on the FAFSA form. The dependency guidelines are set by Congress and are different from those used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Even if you live on your own, support yourself, and file taxes on your own, you may still be considered a dependent student for federal student aid purposes. If you are determined to be a dependent student, you’ll be required to report information about your parent(s). If you’re determined to be an independent student, you won’t have to provide parent information and you can skip the next step.
7. If you are considered a dependent student, fill out the parent demographic section.  Remember it does not matter if you do not live with your parent(s); you still must report information about them. Find out who counts as your parent when you file your FAFSA®
8. Though the FAFSA asks more than 100 questions, there’s no opportunity on the form to explain specific family circumstances, like a recent job loss or high medical bills. If there are more facts you think financial aid officers need to know, make an appointment to discuss your situation with a financial aid representative.
9. If you need help, click in the box you have a question on. The side bar on the right side of the screen will have a help box to explain the question in more detail.
10. For additional information, visit FAFSA ®: Applying for Aid

Making corrections online (fast and easy):

• Review your student aid report for errors.
• If you are unsure if corrections are needed, have a Financial Aid Counselor review your data.
• After corrections are determined, submit a correct data and sign with FSA ID.
  • If you are a dependent student, you and your parent must both sign with your individual FSA ID.
• Allow five days for processing of corrections.

Making corrections by mail:

• Review your student aid report for errors.
• If you are unsure if corrections are needed, have a Financial Aid Counselor review your data.
• After corrections are determined, make necessary corrections and sign the student aid report as indicated.
  • If you are a dependent student, you and your parent must both sign the form.
• Return by mail to address designated on form.
• Allow 2-4 weeks for processing of corrections.

You should hear back about your FAFSA by email within 1-3 weeks after submission. In MyCollege, you can:

• view your financial aid status/award letter status by year
• view your financial aid satisfactory academic status by term

To check your status:

1. log in to MyCollege
2. under Financial Aid and Veterans, click on Manage Your Financial Aid
3. upload any missing information or documents to MyCollege or fax them to 704.330.5053

For financial aid purposes, if all your documents show “Received” or “Waived” for the current school year, your file is complete and our staff is working on awarding your financial aid. Once a file is complete, you will receive an email and you can view your financial aid award letter in MyCollege. If you have problems accessing MyCollege, contact the Central Piedmont ITS Help Desk.

Be sure to review your student aid report carefully for accuracy.

If you do not receive an update in 3 weeks, call 1.800.433.3243.

If you are no longer working or your situation has changed, adjustments may be made to the income reported on your FAFSA if your loss of income was due to circumstances beyond your control. Complete the Request for Professional Judgment form and provide requested documentation to the Financial Office. A Financial Aid counselor will review the documentation provided and make adjustments to previously reported data. If all requirements are met, a correction will be sent to the Department of Education. A revised award letter will be sent if the award is adjusted.

Students or parents requesting Professional Judgment for the 2019-2020 academic year need to  include documentation of their completed 2016 and 2017 Federal Tax returns to show changes of income from previous year.

• 2018-2019 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet (PDF)
• Data Retrieval Process

Federal regulation prevents students from receiving financial aid at two or more institutions at the same time. Financial aid does not automatically transfer from Central Piedmont to another school. If you wish to transfer to another school from Central Piedmont and be considered for financial aid, visit fafsa.gov and add the new institution's school code on the FAFSA. Once the school code has been added and the FAFSA re-submitted, or if the school is already listed on the FAFSA, contact the new institution's office of financial aid for further guidance.