University of the PACIFIC

FAFSA Guide for Students and Parents

PREPARE 

 (October - February)

• Apply for Admission
  (http://www.pacific.edu/apply)
      
• Apply for a PIN number
  (http://www.pin.ed.gov)
  Your parent's will also need to apply for a PIN number. Keep this number as it will be the same PIN each year to complete the FAFSA. You will also use these PINs to complete the Master Promissory Notes.
   
• To complete FAFSA you will need the following information for both parent and student:
  • SSN #'s 
  • Dates of Birth 
  • Tax information, including W2s
  • You may estimate tax information and update the FAFSA once your tax return has been filed.
        
• Complete a FAFSA Worksheet before starting your FAFSA application
  (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1213/pdf/fafsaws13c.pdf)
  • The FAFSA worksheet is not required, but may be helpful when completing the FAFSA

FILE

(January 1 - March 2)
Priority filing deadline for all incoming students is February 15 
Deadline for Cal Grant Application (CA Residents only) is March 2

• Complete FAFSA Application.
  Make sure FAFSA is signed with both student and parent PIN.
  (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
      
• Tips for completing the FAFSA

  • Name and Social Security Number
    Enter your name and Social Security Number exactly as they appear on your Social Security card. 

  • Degree or certificate
    Unless you will be a graduate student, a professional Pharmacy student, or a fifth-year teaching credential student when you enter Pacific, indicate 1 (1^st bachelor's degree) 

  • Grade level
    Entering Freshmen: Indicate 0 (never attended college/first year undergraduate), even if you have college units earned while in high school.
    Transfer Students (including freshmen attending another college or university in Fall 2012): Estimate your grade level at Pacific, counting transferable units, only.

  • First bachelor's degree before July 1, of your incoming year?
    If you will not have a four-year college degree when you enter Pacific, indicate No. 

  • Highest school your father and mother completed
    Answer about both your birth parents (or adoptive parents). 

  • Legal Guardian
    The definition of legal guardianship does not include your parents, even if they were appointed by a court to be your guardians. You are also not considered a legal guardian of yourself. By answering "Yes" it means you can provide a copy of the court's decision giving you this legal status. 

  • Student's financial information
    All students must fill out this section, even if you don't have any income, savings, or investments and do not file a tax return. If an item does not apply to you, enter 0. 

  • Federal school code & housing plans
    University of the Pacific's School Code is 001329. 

  • Read, sign, and date:
    If parent information is required on your FAFSA, a parent PIN is also required.
    (http://www.pin.ed.gov)

  • If a California resident, make sure your High School has submitted your GPA Verification to the California Student Aid Commission.
    (www.webgrants4students.org)

FAFSA Help Desk 1-800-433-3243

VERIFICATION

(March  - July )

• If you filed a tax return
  • Submit a copy of your 2012 IRS Tax Return Transcript (How do I order a Tax Return Transcript?)
  • Submit Copies of your W-2 Forms
      
• If your parents filed a tax return
  • Submit a copy of your parent's 2012 IRS Tax Return Transcript. (How do I order a Tax Return Transcript?)
    (For Example: If you are applying/entering for the 2013-2014 school year, you will need to submit a copy of the 2012 IRS Tax Return Transcript.)
  • Submit copies of Parents W-2 Forms
      
• If you or your parents DID NOT file a federal tax return
  
  • Please complete the Non-Filers section of the  Student Income Form or  Parent Income Form
  • Submit copies of W-2 Forms

FOLLOW-UP

(May - July)

• Have all requirements listed under the Financial Aid section of your insidePacific been resolved (i.e. "signed off") with an "R" status?
  **Aid is estimated until all requirements have been resolved/ signed off
     
• Have you reviewed and accepted/declined your financial aid award, including desired loan amounts, located on your insidePacific? 
  
  
  
• Stafford Loans
  Have you completed BOTH the Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note? (www.studentloans.gov)
  (You do not need to complete the "Financial Awareness Counseling".)
   
• If you have been awarded a Cal Grant, have you completed the "High School Graduation Certification Form"?
  This can be completed at webgrants4students.org
• Does your Parent want to apply for the Federal PLUS Loan? This is not automatically awarded, an application must be completed.
  Your parent may apply online at www.studentloans.gov.

RENEW- For Continuing Students Only

(January  - March 2) 

• Continuing Pacific Students March 2nd Deadline
  Complete FAFSA Renewal Application. Make sure FAFSA is signed with both student and parent PINs, if required.
  
  
• Grade Level
  • Continuing Pacific students should indicate their projected grade level for Fall 2013 (i.e. counting in courses that will be completed at the end of Spring).
    
    
• California Students 
  • If you are a continuing student who had a Cal Grant last year, the Registrar's Office will automatically submit your GPA Verification.
  • If you did not receive a Cal Grant last year and are applying for one this year, you are responsible for requesting a GPA Verification. 
    • More than 24 units earned at Pacific - Request from Pacific's Registrar's Office
    • Less than 24 units earned at Pacific - Request from High School or Prior College
      
      
• Tax Returns for Continuing Students
  Returning students do NOT need to submit tax returns, unless requested by the Financial Aid Office