Helpful FAFSA Hints 2009-2010

FAFSA Checklist

• If applying on line, you (and your parent, if dependent) will need a personal identification number (PIN).
• If you or your parent does not have a PIN, log on to www.pin.ed.gov then click on Pin Request and Information. When you obtain your PIN, keep a record of it for use on future FAFSAs. (A parent's PIN may be used on other children's FAFSAs as well).
• If you have problems when applying for a PIN, you may print off the signature page, sign it, and send it to our office for online entry.
• Social Security number.
• Driver's license number.
• 2010 income tax forms (if you are a dependent student you will also need your parent's tax forms). If your taxes are not yet complete, you may estimate your information and later update it when the actual figures are available
• Untaxed income information.
• Asset information.
• Cornerstone's School Code - 002266.

Helpful Hints

• Answer all questions as instructed. Failure to answer items accurately (or at all) will cause delays and may result in exclusion from consideration for specific aid programs.
• Determine the type of tax form you filed (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) and refer to line numbers as directed in the instructions.
• Do not leave question 21 blank. FAFSA can not determine your gender by your name.
• Do not leave question 26 blank. You must indicate whether you graduated from either high school, home school, or received a GED. This is not a yes or no question. If you select "none of the above" you will be required to provide additional information to your school.
• Do not leave the drug conviction question blank. Enter "no" if you have never been convicted of an illegal drug offense.
• If filing electronically, print a copy of the FAFSA for your records before submitting. If you do not receive a "submission confirmation" the FAFSA has not been submitted and no school will receive your information.
• If you are filing a paper FAFSA, review all questions and make a photocopy of the FAFSA for your records before mailing. (You may mail the paper FAFSA directly to our office to reduce processing time, however, paper FAFSAs typically take two weeks longer to process than filing electronically.)

Remember: A new FAFSA must be filed for each year of enrollment.

In addition to our helpful hints, click here to walk through an automated eight step guide to filing your FAFSA!