FAFSA FSA ID

A Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID must be created to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and electronically sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Create an FSA ID at studentaid.gov. An individual FSA ID (username and password) is required to be created for both student and parent. Since the FSA ID is unique to the student and the parent, different email addresses must be used for each when creating individual FSA IDs. Please ensure that continued access to the email addresses used is available. Usernames and passwords serve as legal electronic signatures for all Department of Education websites and must be created by the user. You are not authorized to create an FSA ID on behalf of someone else, including a family member.

For dependent students, the student and one parent are required to electronically sign the FAFSA using their unique FSA IDs.

Since FSA IDs are used as electronic signatures for future FAFSA submissions and federal student aid access, it is imperative that this information be retained for your records.

Filing the FAFSA

File the FAFSA annually at fafsa.gov. When completing the FAFSA, there are typically two academic years available (the current and the upcoming), so be sure to select the appropriate FAFSA year as the chart below details.

In order for UE to receive your FAFSA data, enter our school code (001795) under ‘School Selection'.

The FAFSA collects demographic and financial information for the student's household. To be prepared to provide the information required to successfully submit the FAFSA, have the following available:

• Both the student's and parent's FSA IDs.
• Social Security Cards - Names and numbers must be entered exactly as they appear on cards.
• Student's and parents' W-2s and federal tax returns from two years prior (as shown above).
• Most recent bank and investment statements.

Pay close attention to whose information is being requested (student's or parent's) as you complete each section. For each question, the FAFSA provides ‘Help and Hints' which offers detailed explanations regarding what is being asked.

The FAFSA is not completed until both student and parent have successfully signed and submitted the FAFSA. A confirmation page will display once submitted which includes a FAFSA confirmation number. Please retain a copy of your confirmation for your records. Federal Student Aid will notify the student using the student's email listed on the FAFSA if actions are required to correct errors.

FAFSA Verification

Each year, approximately one-third of all FAFSAs are selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education. The federal process of verification requires that the Office of Student Financial Services checks the accuracy of certain information provided on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For students whose FAFSA is selected for verification, our office will communicate the steps necessary to comply with this process. Once documents have been submitted, the student will be notified if further clarification or additional documentation is needed.

UE may also select to verify FAFSAs when it appears data discrepancies may exist. Through the verification process, our office may submit FAFSA corrections. If selected, verification must be completed in order for the student's financial aid to be finalized.

At UE, incoming freshmen and new transfer students will be offered their financial aid award even if the FAFSA must be verified; however, no federal, state, or UE need-based grants will be released until this process has been completed. If your FAFSA is selected for verification after an original Financial Aid Notification has been provided, required information must be collected and students will be notified if their financial aid changes.

Returning UE students selected for verification must complete the process before any aid eligibility can be determined for federal, state, and/or need-based University funds.

See the full Verification policy for further details.

FAFSA Special Circumstances

Special circumstances may exist which are not reflected on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Office of Student Financial Services will review circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

Examples include:

• Recent job loss
• Significant change in income
• Death of parent in prior or current year
• Recent divorce or separation of parents
• Excessive out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Private school tuition for younger siblings
• Bankruptcy

As part of this review, the FAFSA is verified and documentation of the circumstance is required. Please contact our office if you have questions regarding this process.