Financial Aid Forms Workshop: Springfield High School

Area students interested in higher education are invited to join representatives of the non-profit Vermont Student Assistance Corp. on October 10th from 6 to 8 pm at the Springfield High School library for a free Financial Aid Forms workshop.

These informal workshops offer guidance on filling out the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and the Vermont State Grant application. The FAFSA is the basis for determining eligibility for federal Pell grants, the Vermont State Grant, financial aid from the school that the student attends, and for student loans.

Students and parents also can ask questions and learn about the college financial aid process, including how to apply for scholarships. Internet access will be available and space is limited.

Students and parents should sign up for a FSA ID at https://fsaid.ed.gov prior to the workshop. The form takes about 10 minutes to complete and 1-3 days to verify and issue the ID from Federal Student Aid.

The following information is needed to complete the FAFSA and is needed for both students and parents.

• Social Security Numbers
• FSA IDs to sign FAFSA electronically
• The names of the colleges that the student is applying to
• 2017 federal tax returns, including schedules, W-2s and K-1 form if applicable
• (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)
• Information on any types of income from 2017, even if it is not reported on a tax return or you did not file taxes
• Current checking and savings account balances
• Home value and debt (if applicable)
• Farm value and debt (if applicable)

•    Business value and debt (if applicable)

•    Investment value (if applicable)

•    Alien Registration Card (if not a U.S. citizen)

Students are also required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2019-20 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) must report their 2017 income information. These changes are intended to help students to receive earlier, more accurate financial aid awards and be able to make more timely final college choices. 

The U.S. Department of Education now offers an earlier filing option for students seeking financial aid. Students applying for financial aid for enrollment beginning after July 1, 2019, can file their FAFSA and Vermont Grant application as early as Oct. 1, 2018. 

Dates and locations for other workshops in the state are available online at http://www.vsac.org/events/list. Information on VSAC’s college planning resources can be found at www.vsac.org.

About VSAC – Changing Lives through Education and Training since 1965

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation is a public, nonprofit agency established by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 to help Vermonters achieve their education and training goals after high school.

VSAC serves students and their families in grades 7-12, as well as adults returning to school, by providing education and career planning services, need-based grants, scholarships and education loans. VSAC has awarded more than $600 million in grants and scholarships for Vermont students, and also administers Vermont’s 529 college savings plan.

Share your VSAC story by email to myVSACstory@vsac.org or submit a video to YouTube. Find us at www.vsac.org or check in on Facebook and Twitter. #changing lives