FAFSA - Saybrook University

Completing the 2010-2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA)
Tips for Saybrook University Students/Spring 2011
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The federal government
uses this form to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid, which can include grants, scholarships, work-study
and loans. The FAFSA is used to determine how much of this aid you’re eligible for. So is imperative that you
understand why it is so important for you to complete the FAFSA. If you are applying for the Spring 2011 Academic
Year please do the following:
Filing out the FAFSA
FAFSA on the Web http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ is the quickest option. It is processed faster than a paper FAFSA; the
web sites uses edit logic to improve the accuracy of your data submission; and it allows for quicker and easier
corrections. If you choose FAFSA on the Web, please pay close attention to the signature requirement. The US
Department of Education issues a “FAFSA on the Web worksheet” annually to help students prepare their data.
When should I file the FAFSA for spring 2011?
The FAFSA deadline date for spring 2011is October 8, 2010. Try to submit the FAFSA as early as possible to maximize
your chance of receiving aid on time. Do not mail tax forms or Worksheets with your FAFSA. If you are supposed to
file a 2009 federal income tax return, we recommend that you complete it before filing out the FAFSA Form. If you
have not yet completed your 2009 tax return, you can still submit your FAFSA using best estimates. However, after
you submit your tax return, correct any income or tax information that is different from what you initially submitted
on your FAFSA. In addition to completing the 2010-2011 FAFSA.
What is a PIN?
You are encouraged to apply for a Federal Student Aid PIN to sign your online application.
Your PIN will serve as an identifier and as your electronic signature. It works much like the personal identification
number you get from your bank. You can apply for a PIN from within FAFSA on the Web or at the Federal Student
Aid PIN Web site at www.pin.ed.gov.
What are the FAFSA signature requirements?
The preferable method is for you to obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN) in advance and use your PIN to
sign your FAFSA electronically. You should apply for your PIN at http://www.pin.ed.gov before completing your
FAFSA. It remains valid for filing your FAFSA in subsequent years, so keep them safe and confidential. Without the
appropriate signature (or PIN) a FAFSA is not valid. It is your responsibility to provide a valid FAFSA to Saybrook
University. The School Code is G21206 for Saybrook University.
Prior Year FAFSA Filers
If you filed a FAFSA application last year (2009-2010) when you start to complete your 2010-2011 FAFSA application
you will be asked if you want the information from that application to pre-fill the new application. If you filed a
2009-2010 FAFSA this process will allow you to complete the 2010-2011 FAFSA in less time.
Student Aid Report (SAR)
Once you complete the FAFSA, you will receive a SAR, showing your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Please
read the SAR carefully for messages regarding your application status and database matches. The SAR will provide
your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The federal processor will also electronically transmit the analysis of the
data to each college you specified on the FAFSA.
Dependency and Parent Information
Student’s sometime answer questions about student degrees and grade levels incorrectly (items Q28 and Q29). As
a graduate/professional student you are independent. Complete only the student areas of this form (Student Areas
Only). No parental data is required unless you are applying for state-funded programs that require parental
information. Question 28 (Grade Level) Enter “6” if you are a first time graduate or professional student or “7” if you
are a second year Graduate/professional or beyond.

Student Responsibility
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have submitted all forms necessary to complete your financial aid
application. Saybrook University Financial Aid Office will notify you of any forms needed to complete your
application. Be sure to submit all requested information as soon as possible. If you are unsure if all required forms
are on file, contact the Saybrook University Financial Aid Office via email at finaid@saybrook.edu.
Helpful Tips
1. Gather all forms needed to complete the FAFSA
Your social security card, your driver’s license, and your Current bank statements.
Your current mortgage and investment information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other
investment records (if any)
Your Alien Registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. Citizen)
2009 You and Your Spouse (if married) student federal tax return
2009 untaxed income records (if any) and your 2009 W2 forms and other record of money earned.
Such as Welfare Benefits, Social Security Benefits, VA Benefits, disability, military or clergy allowance.
READ the instructions printed with the FAFSA. Many applications are delayed due to illegible data.
Be very careful when reporting your social security number and name. An error in either of these can
cause significant delays. Make sure you report your name on the FAFSA as it appears in your social
security card. If the name on your social security card needs to be updated, do that before you
complete the FAFSA. If you do report the wrong social security number on the FAFSA, it is best to
complete a new FAFSA using the correct number rather than correcting the number on your Student
Aid Report (SAR).
When there is no monetary value to report for an item, use -0- (zero). Do not leave the item blank.
Blank responses can delay the application because the processor sometimes assumes you overlooked
the item.
For dates, enter numbers that correspond to the month, day, and year. For example, for January 1,
1986 enter 01011986.
2010/2011 FAFSA questions that refer to the "school year" mean the school year from July 1, 2010
through June 30, 2011.
Please contact to the financial aid administrator if you have unusual circumstances.
Round to the nearest dollar and do not use commas or decimal points.
So what happens after I complete the FAFSA form and the central processor has electronically emailed Saybrook
University Financial Aid Office my FAFSA results?
The Financial Aid Office calculates the estimated cost of attendance including tuition, fees, books and supplies,
room and board, personal expenses, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. To determine your financial
need, your EFC is subtracted from the cost of attendance.
The Financial Aid Office will email you your financial aid award letter outlining the financial aid included in your
package. The packet will include information about each award offered and instructions on how to apply for the
financial aid that has been awarded to you. Please note that loans and FWS require supplemental applications.
So please follow instructions.
What office disburses Financial Aid refund checks?
The Business Office is responsible for disbursing your financial aid: Direct Loans Stafford Loans, Grad PLUS Loan,
which are applied electronically to your student account. Your financial aid is applied directly to the payment of
institutional charges (tuition and fees). The Business Office will refund any credit balance on your account to you
and any remaining balance is made available in the form of a school check on Federal Work-Study funds are
disbursed as earned by paycheck. Other aid is disbursed as directed by the funding agency.
Please be aware the financial aid refund checks will be released to students after schools begins and not before.
For specific information please contact the Business Office at (415) 394-5035 or email at tuition@saybrook.edu.
Financial Aid Contact Information
Email questions to the financial aid email address at Finaid@saybrook.edu.
Financial office Staff
Shandel Rosen Roberts/Director of Financial Aid
Carol Garcia/Associate Director of Financial Aid