Platt College is Becoming Part of Concordia University, St. Paul

Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. At the office of Federal Student Aid, employees help make college education possible for every dedicated mind by providing more than $150 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to more than 13 million students paying for college or career school. Begin the FAFSA experience by completing an application. 

The FAFSA is the application you will use to apply for the federal student aid programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to help pay for college. Federal student aid covers such expenses as tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation, and for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care. Also, FAFSA data is often used to determine your eligibility for state aid and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.

How do I complete my FAFSA?

1. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov (this site is FREE) and click on either the Start A New FAFSA button or Login button.

2. Click on Enter your (the student’s) FSA ID and enter your FSA ID username or verified email address and your FSA ID password.

   • If you have not created an FSA ID, click the link “Create an FSA ID” and follow the instructions. The FSA ID will be your log in for every Federal Student Aid website and is considered your electronic signature.

3. Click on the Start 2018-2019 FAFSA button.

4. Create a temporary Save Key ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­______________­____ (4-8 characters long, can use letters and/or numbers).

5. Complete the Student Demographic Information section.

6. Complete the Student Eligibility sections to the best of your ability.

7. On the School Selection screen, enter the Federal School Code for Platt College on the right. Our Federal School Code is 030149.

8. Complete the Dependency Determination section to the best of your ability.

9. If you are a “dependent student,” complete the required Parent Demographic Information.

   • If you have questions regarding your dependency status, you can verify your dependency statues by visiting: www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/dependency

10. You will need to have your tax information for 2016 (tax return or W-2s).

    • If you have already filed your taxes, indicate Already Completed.

      • You must attempt to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if it is made available.

      • When using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you will be directed to the IRS website where you will have to provide the exact address that appeared on your 2016 tax return.

      • If the address is correct, you will be prompted to click Transfer My Tax Information into the FAFSA, then click the Submit Now button.

      • This tax link is coming directly from the IRS, so please do not change the information provided.

      • If the IRS Data Retrieval Tool does not work, you will need to enter your tax information manually using your 2016 tax return.

    • If you are not required to file Federal Taxes and do not plan to, indicate Not Going to File.

    • The FAFSA will also ask about untaxed income (e.g. Child support received, interest income, social security benefits, etc.) in addition to balances in checking accounts, savings accounts, and investments.

11. When you reach the final page of the FAFSA, click Agree to Terms and Conditions, then click the SIGN button.

12. If you are a dependent student, your parent will also need to create an FSA ID in order to officially sign and submit the FAFSA.

    • Indicate Parent 1 or Parent 2, parent will input their FSA ID, click Agree to Terms and Conditions and then the Sign button.

13. Finally, click the Submit My FAFSA Now button.