FAFSA

Completing the FAFSA Application

  • Apply for a PIN online at www.pin.ed.gov.
    • One of the parents must also apply for a PIN if the student is a dependent
    • The PINs will allow the student and parent to electronically sign the FAFSA
    • The PIN should not be shared with anyone and will be used each year for re-application.
    • The PINs will be created in "real time" and be available immediately. The applicant will have the option to:
      • Choose a personal PIN
      • Have a system-generated PIN display on the Web page
      • Receive a system-generated PIN by e-mail (PIN’s will not be mailed).
  • Fill out the FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
    • Submit the FAFSA application on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
    • Four Rivers’s Title IV school code is 013529
    • There is no cost to apply for federal student aid
    • Students and parents are required to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) when completing the FAFSA application. In certain circumstances, an applicant may not be eligible to use the IRS DRT. In this case, it will be necessary to request a tax transcript from www.irs.gov
  • In approximately 2-6 weeks the student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR is used to verify that the information submitted is correct. If any corrections need to be made, the student may contact the Financial Aid Office at Four Rivers or make their own corrections by using their assigned PIN at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
  • Student information will automatically be sent to Four Rivers Career Center as long as the student has selected Four Rivers as their school of choice using our Federal School Code (013529)

FAFSA Verification

  • FAFSA applications are randomly selected for a process called verification. All Student Aid Reports (SAR) with an asterisk by the EFC must be verified. This process is to confirm the information provided to the U.S. Department of Education on the FAFSA application.
  • All students/parents must provide a copy of all documentation required for the verification process to the Four Rivers Financial Aid Office within twenty-one (21) days of written request to be considered for financial aid. If documentation is not received within the required time frame, the applicant forfeits any financial aid award disbursements.
  • Required documentation may include any or all of the following: proof of household size, number enrolled in college, adjusted gross income, U.S. income tax paid, and certain untaxed income and benefits such as IRA distributions, pensions, IRA deductions and payments, tax exempt interest, SNAP benefits (food stamps) and untaxed child support.
  • For a dependent student, the student’s parent(s) will be required to provide this documentation
  • Required verification elements will be updated annually by the United States Department of Education.
  • The verification process may result in a change in the amount of the student’s financial award. If there is a change in the award, the student will receive an award letter with the corrected amount(s) of financial aid offered.
  • If the student fails to complete the verification process, they will forfeit any federal student aid disbursement eligibility until such time as the verification