What is the FAFSA?

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) gives you access to the largest source of financial aid available to help you pay for your educational needs. You should also add UCM’s code 002454 so we receive your information.

For more information on what the FSA ID is, where you can use it, and how to get one (for both the student and parent), see this link: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing

Please go here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out

Many of the questions addressed on this site include the following:

• Creating an FSA ID
• Gathering the Documents Needed to Apply
• Getting Help
• Internal Revenue Service Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) 
• Starting Your FAFSA® Form and Providing Your Basic Personal Information
• Listing Colleges and/or Career Schools
• Determining Your Dependency Status
• Reporting Parents’ Information
• Providing Financial Information
• What to Do If Your Parents’ (or Your) Marital Status Has Changed Since Taxes Were Filed
• Automatically Transferring Your Tax Information Using the Internal Revenue
• Signing and Submitting the FAFSA® Form
• Taking the Next Steps

Depending upon what change you are making, it would be best to check with the Financial Aid Office before making any corrections (other than adding another school).  Any correction made increases the likelihood of being selected for verification (see below), which often results in a delay in completing your financial aid process. Please see here for more information about making corrections: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/next-steps/correct-update

You might see a note on your Student Aid Report (SAR) saying you’ve been selected for verification; or your school might contact you to inform you that you’ve been selected. Verification is the process your school uses to confirm that the data reported on your FAFSA form is accurate. If you’re selected for verification, your school will request additional documentation that supports the information you reported.

Don’t assume you’re being accused of doing anything wrong. Some people are selected for verification at random; and some schools verify all students' FAFSA forms. All you need to do is provide the documentation your school asks for—and be sure to do so by the school’s deadline, or you won’t be able to get financial aid.

Also, if you used the Internal Revenue Service Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) when filling out your FAFSA form, you may not have to verify that information.  If you didn’t use the IRS DRT, used the IRS DRT and reported rollovers, or used the IRS DRT but also amended your tax return, your school may require you to submit an IRS tax transcript or a signed copy of your income tax return as part of the verification process.  You can find your tax transcript through the IRS’s “Get Transcript” service at www.irs.gov/transcript

For more information on types of aid offered by UCM, please go here: https://www.ucmo.edu/future-students/tuition-costs-and-financial-aid/financing-your-education/types-of-aid/index.php

For more information on what aid you should accept, please see this page: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/next-steps/accept-aid