FAFSA Questions
What term replaces the old "Expected Family Contribution" (EFC)?
Student Aid Index (SAI)
True or False? A financial aid office can create a blanket policy to automatically grant professional judgments for all students who lost their jobs.
False. PJs must be evaluated on a case by case basis
If you are under 24, unmarried, not a veteran, an orphan, or a ward of the court, you are considered what type of student?
Dependent student
Nicole's taxes indicate she earned $9,000 and had 2 in the household. She now lists 7 in the household, including herself. She has no federal benefits and is not married. Should we get clarification?
Yes. Nicole does not earn enough income to support 7 people in the household, so we need documentation to resolve the conflict.
True or False: Students should not bother filling out the FAFSA if they think they make too much money to qualify for aid.
False.
What is the lowest possible numerical value that a student can receive for their SAI?
-1500
If a student is selected for verification but also submitted a Professional Judgment, which do you complete first?
Verification. All verifications must be completed first before any PJ adjustments can be made.
If a student meets all the dependent criteria except that she got married at 19 but is now divorced at 21, is she independent or dependent?
Dependent. Her past marriage no longer grants her automatic independent status.
Mark's ISIR reflects that he has 3 people in the house, but the signed verification states 2. Is this a conflict?
Yes, this is a conflict. You need to confirm which number is correct so we can resolve the conflict.
Traditionally, the FAFSA opens every year on this specific calendar date?
October 1st
Any individual required to provide a signature and consent on the FAFSA form is called what?
A contributor
Can a financial aid administrator use a Professional Judgment to adjust a student's SAI simply because the family feels the formula is unfair?
No.
Tyra is 19. She has a child and lives in her parents' basement. She receives WIC. Tyra does not have a job, so she can stay home to care for her newborn. Tyra's parents pay for all the essentials, such as diapers and formula. Is Tyra independent or dependent?
Dependent. She is not providing more than 50% of financial support to the child.
Monica and Tom have been married for 5 years. FTI pulls that Monica filed Married filed jointly, and Tom filed Head of Household. Is this a conflict?
Yes, this is a conflict that needs to be resolved, in which case they would need to amend their taxes.
Natalie is a June 8th start. She is an FTLB. What year do her loans need to come out of?
26/27
For divorced or separated parents, which parent is now required to be the contributor on the FAFSA?
The parent who provided the greater portion of financial support. (Which is not always the parent they lived with)
Suzie quit her job because her boss made her mad. Her FAFSA indicates she is single, earns $57,000 a year, and is not Pell-eligible. Is she eligible for a professional judgment?
No, the student quit her job without a valid reason.
Kenneth's dad physically abused him. He moved in with a friend when he was 16. he worked, saved up money, and got an apartment when he turned 18. He is financially independent and still does not talk to his parents. Can he be considered independent?
Yes, but documents are required.
Michael's 26/27 FAFSA comes in. It shows he is married. FTi pulls that both spouses filed single. Is this a conflict?
Trick question! Yes & No. You need to request documentation on when they were married. If they married after December 31, 2024, then there is no conflict. If they married before December 31, 2024, then this is a conflict. Filing single while legally married is a tax error and requires a tax amendment.
Corey is a June 8th start. He is not Pell-eligible for 25/26 but is fully Pell-eligible for 26/27. Can we package him all out of 26/27?
Yes, we can choose to package out 26/27 since this FAFSA benefits the student more.
What specific federal tax definition is now used on the FAFSA to automatically determine a student's eligibility for a Max Pell Grant?
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Candace's mother fell ill and had no one to take care of her. Candace decided to quit her job to take care of her mother full-time. Is she eligible for a professional judgment?
Yes, but documentation is required.
Tyler is 19 and lives at home. He is filling out his FAFSA, but his parents refuse to complete it. Tyler gets angry and moves out. He has not talked to his parents in a month. Can he be considered independent?
No. Simply moving out after a disagreement and a parent's refusal to help does not qualify as "unusual circumstances."
FTI shows Carl did not file taxes. He is single. He puts on the non-filer that he worked at a car wash and made $5,000. He worked at McDonald's and made $7,200. He also worked as a janitor and made $6,300. Is this a conflict?
Yes, based on the non-filer, he exceeded the filing threshold.
Jack is a 5/18 start. He has been dragging his feet about completing his financial aid. He was approved for an LOA to give him time to gather his documents to complete his financial aid. He returns on 7/1. What year do you package him out of?
26/27.