Transfer Students

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) FAQ

• I probably don't qualify for aid. Should I apply for aid anyway?
• What is IPFW's school code?
• What is the priority deadline for financial aid?
• What is the IRS Data Retrieval Tool and how do I use it?
• How do I correct information on my FAFSA?
• Do I have to reapply for aid every year?
• I sent in my FAFSA weeks ago, but I haven't heard anything. What should I do?
• I'm transferring to IPFW from another school, what do I have to do?
• I'm a graduate student, can I get financial aid?
• Do I have to include parent information on the FAFSA, or can I be considered "independent"?
• If my parents are divorced and I am a dependent student, whose information do I report on the FAFSA?
• Do I report stepparent's information on the FAFSA?
• My parents refuse to give me their financial documents. What are my options?

I probably don't qualify for aid. Should I apply anyway?

Yes, the only way to be sure if you qualify for financial aid is to file a FAFSA.   Everyone is eligible for some kind of financial aid, even if it's only student loans. Many families make the mistake of not applying for aid and losing out on financial aid that is available.  

Also, there are a few sources of aid such as unsubsidized Stafford and PLUS loans that are available regardless of need. The FAFSA form is free. There is no good excuse for not applying. 

What is IPFW's school code?

001828

What is the priority deadline for Financial Aid?

The priority deadline is March 10th each year to be eligible for any Indiana state aid. You must have your FAFSA filed by midnight on March 10th.  If you file your FAFSA after the deadline, you will still be eligible for federal aid, but not Indiana state aid. 

Additionally, if you have any corrections that you must make to your FAFSA, you must do so by May 15th each year to keep your eligibility for Indiana state aid. 

What is the IRS Data Retrieval tool and how do I use it?

The IRS Data Retrieval tool links your IRS tax return information (and/or your parents' tax return informaiton) with your FAFSA, making it faster, easier, and more accurate.  

To use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool:

• When completing the FAFSA, enter your PIN* and click Link To IRS
  • *You will not be asked to enter your PIN if you entered a PIN to begin your FAFSA.
• Your FAFSA will be saved and you will be transferred to the IRS Web site.
• On the IRS Web site, enter the requested information.
• Once the IRS has validated your identification, your IRS tax information will display. You can either transfer your information from the IRS, or choose to return to FAFSA on the Webfrom the IRS Web site. If you do not transfer your information or choose not to return from the IRS Web site, you will have to login to open your saved FAFSA.
• If you transfer your IRS tax information, questions that are populated with tax information will be marked with “Transferred from the IRS.”

Get more information

How do I correct information on my FAFSA?

If the information you entered on your FAFSA was incorrect as of the day you signed the FAFSA, you can use Corrections on the Web (FAFSA site) to correct your answers.

You cannot change:

• Your Social Security Number via the Corrections on the Web. If your Social Security Number is incorrect, you must call FAFSA on the Web Customer Service at 1-800-433-3243 or complete a new application with the correct Social Security Number.
• Your financial information, unless it was incorrect as of the day the FAFSA was submitted.
• Your marital status, unless it was incorrect as of the day the FAFSA was submitted.  

Do I have to reapply for aid every year?

Yes. In order to receive financial aid, you must file a new FAFSA each year. Depending on how your financial circumstances change, you may receive more or less aid.

After your first year you will receive notification of a "Renewal Application" from the Department of Education which contains preprinted information from the previous year's FAFSA.

Note that your eligibility for financial aid may change significantly, especially if you have a different number of family members in college.

I sent in my FAFSA weeks ago, but I haven't heard anything. What should I do?

If you haven't received a Student Aid Report (SAR), you can check the status of a submitted FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 (toll free).

If you have already been admitted to IPFW, you can check if IPFW has received your FAFSA or if you have any outstanding requirements by logging on to myIPFW and clicking on the Enrollment tab.  The Financial Aid Requirements box will indicate if your FAFSA was received and if you have documentation that you must submit to the Financial Aid Office. 

I'm transferring to IPFW from another school, what do I have to do?

You will need to add IPFW's school code (001828) to your FAFSA. Or you can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 to add our school code.

You must also contact the financial aid office at your current school to cancel the aid you are receiving at that institution. 

I'm a graduate student, can I still get financial aid?

Graduate students are eligible to receive federal student loans.  They are not eligible to receive any federal or state grants. 

Do I have to include parent information on the FAFSA, or can I be considered "independent"?

The guidelines to determine your dependency status are listed in step 2 (step 3 if paper) on the FAFSA.

Most students under the age of 24 who are not married, do not have children, have not served active duty in the military for reasons other than training, or who are not orphans or wards of the court will be considered a dependent student under federal guidelines.   Living on your own and paying your own bills is not criteria to be considered independent. 

If my parents are divorced and I am a dependent student, whose information do I report on the FAFSA?

You would report information about the parent you lived with for the greater amount of time during the 12 months preceding the date you file your FAFSA application.

If you didn't live with either parent, or if you lived with each parent an equal amount of time, then use information about the parent who provided the greater amount of financial support during the 12 months prior to the date you file your FAFSA application.

If you didn't receive any parental financial support during that time, you must report information about the parent who most recently provided the greater amount of parental support.

Do I report my stepparent's information on the FAFSA?

Your stepparent's financial information is required on the FAFSA if:

• the parent you received financial support from was a single parent who is now remarried.
• the parent you received financial support from was divorced or widowed but has now remarried.

This does not mean your stepparent is obligated to give financial assistance to you, but his or her income and assets represent significant information about the family's financial resources. Including this information on the FAFSA helps the Federal Processor form an accurate picture of your family's total financial strength. 

My parents refuse to put their information on the FAFSA. What are my options?

Please call the Financial Aid Office (260-481-6820) or visit the Financial Aid Office in Kettler Hall room 102 for information on your options.

Have more questions?  View The Department of Education's guide to completing the 2012-2013 FAFSA

Transferring to IPFW from another college or university

If you're a student transferring from another college or university, there are several things that you must do to transfer your financial aid information.

1. If you registered for classes at your prior school, you must officially withdraw through your prior school's registrar's office.
2. Contact the financial aid office at your prior school and request your aid to be cancelled and your loan end dates changed. 
3. If you have a Parent PLUS loan at your prior school, your parent must cancel it and reapply for a new PLUS loan through IPFW.
4. Log on to your FAFSA and change your school code to IPFW's school code, 001828.
5. If you have Indiana state grants (like the Higher Education Award or 21st Century Scholar) you must log on to SSACI eStudent and change your school code to IPFW, 001828
6. If you have CVO (Child of a Disabled Veteran or Public Safety Office) you must turn in a new state certification and complete the IPFW CVO application.  Your FAFSA must also be received by IPFW before CVO can be processed.

Print our Transfer Student Checklist for reference