Frequently Asked Questions
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A. By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be easily submitted over the internet at www.fafsa.gov. This application is the starting point for all types of financial aid. Scholarships require separate application procedures depending on the type of scholarship. Remember to apply for financial aid EACH academic year. NIACC offers help in completing your FAFSA. Contact the NIACC Financial Aid Office at 641-422-4168 or Admissions Office at 641-422-4245 for assistance.
A. The FSA ID gives students access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. It is the username and password you will use to log in to your FAFSA, sign your Master Promissory Note and complete Entrance Counseling. The FSA ID replaced the previously used PIN in May 2015. You can apply for an FSA ID at https://fsaid.ed.gov. If you are a dependent student, a parent will also need an FSA ID to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool and sign your FAFSA electronically. You will use your FSA ID annually to complete the FAFSA. It is a good idea to keep this information in a secure place that you will remember the location of.
A. If everything is correct, keep the SAR for future reference. If you need to make corrections, contact the Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Office will be in contact with you if they need any additional information or have determined your financial aid offer for the school year.
A. The Federal government has established the criteria that determine whether you must report parent information. The criteria are typically found in the Student Dependency Step of the FAFSA form. If you answer “no” to all of the questions, you must provide parent information. If you answer “yes” to at least one of these questions, you do not have to provide parent information. If you have questions about your dependency status, please contact the Financial Aid Office or check out the video below.