The FAFSA is Only One of Many Forms
Families should realize that completing the FAFSA is only the beginning and not the end of the financial aid process.

Financial Aid Package /Award Letter is the projected costs after any financial aid the college is offering to reduce them. Most awards consist of scholarships, loans, grants and work study The letter usually reports the Cost of Attendance (COA) less financial aid, family contribution and unmet need (amount left)., Some or none of the financial aid award needs to be accepted by a deadline date or be forfeited. An appeal letter can be written to justify the need for more financial aid.
APPEALS for More Financial Aid

Statement of Special Circumstances or Status Changes is a form that may be used in lieu of an appeal letter for more financial aid. Changes in financial status can result from job loss, changes in marital status, unexpected expenses, etc.

Appeal Letter-Many colleges require a letter of explanation or may use their own forms. It is critical to provide sufficient back up data to justify your need. Always be sure that the FAFSA is up to date and the college is aware of any special circumstances (job loss, reduction in hours, etc.) that may impact the financial aid award.
Loans (Student Stafford)
MPN Master Promissory-Note is a required promissory note that a student signs when taking out a Stafford loan.

Entrance Counseling-- Students with federal student loans are counseled in person, in groups or line expected to take a test to conform that they understand the rights and responsibilities of their loans before their first disbursement.
Alternative Loan Applications-Requires co-signors to guaranty repayments of the student borrower.
LOANS (PARENTS)
PLUS Loan Applications-Federally Insured loans for parents of dependent students

PLUS Loan Certification Worksheet--This form is required when a family has not completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid but is applying for a PLUS Loan
SCHOLARSHIPS

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION RELEASE FORM-The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires student consent to disclose personal and educational information to provide scholarship donor(s) with the required information about their scholarship recipients.

IDOC-is a service of the College Board used by some institutions to process and make an electronic image of required tax and other forms for verification purposes. The institutions require parents to submit their documents to IDOC rather than directly to them.
FINANCIAL AID AWARDS

 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the primary form used by all colleges for federal, state and some college’s financial aid. The FAFSA calculates the EFC (Expected Family Contribution), the amount a family should be able to contribute to the student’s education. The FAFSA for the 2009-2010 academic year can be submitted on January 1, 2009 using projected ernings.

SAR-(Student Aid Report) is the edited FAFSA after it has been processed. It is an informational worksheet that reports FAFSA details, errors and financial eligibility for governmental loans and grants. In turn, corrections can be made on the form or on line.

CSS /Financial Aid PROFILE- is used by many private colleges and scholarship programs for institutional private aid they control. It asks more detailed questions such as past, present and projected incomes, expenses and special circumstances using an institutional methodology to determine a family’s financial need.

Institutional Forms- Many colleges develop their own financial aid forms asking specific questions similar to the CSS/ Financial Aid Profile. Each form may be required in addition to the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
NON CUSTODIAL PARENTS

 NCP/ Non Custodial Parent Profile-is an on line form offered by the College Board used by some colleges when the birth/adoptive parents do not live in the same household. This form may be required if the student answers that their biological or adoptive parents are separated or divorced when they completed the CSS/Financial Aid Profile. The completed is kept confidential from the custodial; parent and student and used to factor in what the non custodial parent can contribute, if anything to their child’s education.

Non Custodial Parent’s Statement-is required by some colleges for students with separated, never married or divorced parents for awarding financial aid. This may be similar to the NCP Profile.
VERIFICATION

Verification Worksheet is sent by the college for students selected for verification by the US Department of Education Central Processing System and or college to verify the financial aid forms to the source documents. This process prevents ineligible students from receiving from receiving aid and ensuring that eligible students receive the aid they are entitled.