Submitting a FAFSA

FAFSA Requirements

• You must submit a new FAFSA every year.
• Each FAFSA applies to one academic year (Fall-Spring-Summer).
• You must meet all of the "Federal General Eligibility Requirements."

2017-18 FAFSA Changes

• The revised 2017-18 FAFSA process starts earlier (October) and uses prior prior year (2015) income data instead of your prior year (2016) income data. 
• The 2017-18 FAFSA will base your final aid eligibility on your 2015 income data, and will never require your 2016 income data (even after it is available).
• Because of these changes, everyone can immediately file their 2017-18 FAFSA with their 2015 tax data.
• If your 2016 income will be significantly lower than your 2015 income, you must still submit your 2017-18 FAFSA with your 2015 data, but you may want to explore our Special Financial Conditions process.

FAFSA Year	Income year
2016-17	2015 (Prior Year)
2017-18	2015 (Prior Prior Year)
2018-19	2016 (Prior Prior Year)

2017-18 FAFSA Deadlines

This FAFSA became available on 10/1/2016.

2017-18 FAFSA Deadlines	New TU Students	Returning TU Students
Recommended Filing Deadline	As early as possible.	By Halloween (10/31/16)
Priority Deadline for TU Aid	1/17/2017	1/17/2017
MHEC Aid Deadline	3/1/2017	3/1/2017

• We strongly encourage all returning TU students to file their FAFSA by the “Recommended Deadline” to allow extra time to resolve problems and submit additional documents.
• For Priority consideration for TU grants and work-study funds, you must submit your FAFSA by TU's Priority Deadline.
• The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) offers many aid programs for Maryland residents. To apply for many of these aid programs, you must submit your FAFSA by 3/1/2017.

2016-17 FAFSA Deadlines

• Late applicants can still submit a 2016-17 FAFSA to apply for federal loans and Federal Pell Grants.
• To avoid late fees and other payment penalties, apply NOW!
• You must apply for Fall 2016 aid by 11/15/16 and for Spring 2017 aid by 4/15/17.

FAFSA Instructions

1) Submit your FAFSA

• Apply online at www.fafsa.gov
• TU's FAFSA Code is 002099
• If you already applied, but didn't list TU's code, return to www.fafsa.gov to add it.

2) use the IRS Data retrieval tool

• From the online FAFSA, use the "IRS Data Retrieval Tool" to automatically upload your IRS income data directly to your FAFSA.
• This is the easiest and most accurate way to report this data.
• If you have any trouble uploading your IRS data, enter your name and address EXACTLY as it was listed on your federal tax return.
• Failure to use this tool increases the risk that you may be asked to provide additional documentation to verify your FAFSA data.

3) Confirm your FAFSA Submission

Several days after you submit your FAFSA:

• Return to www.fafsa.gov.
• Confirm that your FAFSA was processed.
• Make sure that your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is not blank.
• Review all comments and the accuracy of your data.

4) Submit additional Documentation to TU

• After we receive your FAFSA, we may need to request additional documents from you.
• To receive these requests, you must check your TU email and your TU Online Services To-Do List.
• For new students, we can prepare a tentative aid offer before you submit your documentation.
• For returning TU students, starting with 2017-18 aid year, you must submit all required documents before we can offer you aid.

FAFSA Help Services

• 1-800-4FED-AID
• Live Chat via the FAFSA Website
• FAFSA Help Videos