2000-2001 Financial Aid
[How to Apply]
[Deadlines] [Disbursements]
[Student Budget]
[Scholarships] [Loans] [Grants]
[Student Employment]
[Satisfactory Academic Progress] [Verification]
[Forms & Documents]
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
All students -- undergraduate and graduate -- who apply for federal financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The form collects basic information about the financial circumstances of the student and family so that eligibility for federal aid programs can be determined. A student who completes this document within designated deadlines, will be considered for Federal Pell and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) (undergraduate only), Federal College Work Study, Federal Perkins and Federal Stafford Loans.
There is no fee for processing the FAFSA.
Read the instruction booklet carefully as you fill out the FAFSA form. Errors and omissions can prevent you from receiving aid for which you could be eligible. Keep copies of all documents filed.
Follow-up promptly on all corrections to your FAFSA. If your record is "rejected" by the federal processor, be sure to provide them with the information they request as soon as possible. Processing of your file will be held up until corrections are made.
Double-check your form to make sure it is complete and accurate. Be sure it has the necessary signatures.
Within four weeks after mailing the FAFSA form, the U.S. Department of Education will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR). On the SAR will be either a request for further information or a number called an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC will be used to determine the amount of Federal grant, loan, or work study, if you are eligible.
The last day to submit a FAFSA for the 2000-2001 school year, (July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2001), is July 2, 2001.
UCF's Title IV Code: 003954
FAFSA On The Web/Renewal FAFSA
For your convenience you can now file your FAFSA directly over the internet using FAFSA on the Web. The FAFSA Renewal application may also be completed online.
A student should use the Renewal FAFSA version if they applied for federal financial aid the previous award year. If the student is among those allowed to complete a Renewal FAFSA, it will be sent directly to him or her by the FAFSA processor early in 2000 or he/she can do it over the web by clicking the picture below.
FAFSA on the Web is only supported by the domestic versions of Netscape 3.0 - 3.04, 4.0 - 4.05 and Internet Explorer 4.0 and 4.01 (Windows 95 or Windows NT).
FAFSA Express
You can send your FAFSA electronically by downloading the FAFSA Express software to your computer. You will need an IBM-compatible PC to download the electronic form and a modem to send your completed FAFSA form to the U.S. Department of Education. FAFSA Express instructions are provided to help walk you through the application process.
For both FAFSA on the Web and FAFSA Express, you will need to print a signature page. Student and parent (if appicable) signatures are required. Mail the signature page to the address listed on your printout as soon as possible.
FAFSA In PDF Format
If you do not want to use the FAFSA on the Web or FAFSA Express you can download and print the FAFSA application form in Portable Document Format (PDF). You can also download and print instructions to assist you in completing the FAFSA. Click here to download.
Application Status Check
The Department of Education has introduced the Application Status Check a new feature of FAFSA/Renewal FAFSA on the Web. The Application Status Check gives web applicants the opportunity to verify that their FAFSA on the Web or Renewal FAFSA on the Web application was submitted successfully.
Immediately after the student submits their FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA on the Web, they can go to the Application Status Check on the Web to make sure their application has been received by entering their social security number (SSN), the first two letters of their last name, date of birth and the application cycle year.
There are four possible status check messages an applicant can receive:
- The application data was found, and has been sent to the CPS Hold File (screen shows date sent).
- The application data was found, but has not yet been sent to the CPS Hold File (this means data was just submitted).
- The application data was not found because the application was never submitted or received.
- The application data was not found because it has been 21 days since the application was submitted. (Application data is removed from the status check web server after 21 days, regardless of its processing status.)
The Application Status Check is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Applications submitted by a medium other than FAFSA on the Web or Renewal FAFSA on the Web (i.e. paper FAFSA, FAFSA Express, EDExpress, etc.) cannot be checked using this web status check feature.
Helpful Hints in Completing the FAFSA
One factor in how quickly your financial aid can be distributed to you is how accurately you complete the FAFSA. The following are areas that have given students trouble in the past. Should you have any questions after completing this form, please contact one of our financial aid counselors.
Be sure that you answer all questions and your responses are legible. Do not leave blank spaces in any section that you are required to complete. The processor does not always interpret a blank as a zero. They may reject your application.
Under Step 3 of Your FAFSA:
Students who answer "no" to all questions in step two are considered
dependent and must provide parents' information. You cannot decide on your
own that you are independent. If you feel that you have extenuating
circumstances that make you independent, please speak with one of our counselors
before completing the form.
Under Step 4 of Your FAFSA:
You should report your parents' current marital status. If your natural
parents are divorced and your supporting parent is now remarried, your parents'
status is "married". (For example: If the supporting parent is the mother, list
her income and her husband's income.)
The term "parents" refers only to natural parents or step-parents. You cannot use
information about any other persons even if they are relatives, raised you, and/or
provide your support. If you have any
doubts about this, you should speak to one of our counselors before completing the
form.
Your parents' household includes step-parents as well as dependents of
step-parents. Also, always include yourself in the household, even if you do not
consider yourself dependent on your parents. But, do not include any family
member who is not receiving at least half support from your parents.
Do not forget to provide all appropriate signatures. Missing signatures slow down processing.
Questions
Call 1-800-801-0576 if you have technical questions about submitting an electronic FAFSA.
Call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) if you have general questions about what information you need to report on the FAFSA or if you have questions on the status of your application.