Application Process

FAFSA: First Step

To qualify for financial assistance, including loans and some scholarships, you must first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This can be done one of two ways:

1. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web, or
2. Complete the FAFSA Renewal Application on the Web.

Electronic FAFSA

Applying on the Web allows you to complete the FAFSA over the Internet in an easy-to-use format. FAFSA on the Web/Renewal FAFSA on the Web can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

It is important to complete a Pre-Application Worksheet to guide you. You can print a copy of the Worksheet from Section I of the FAFSA on the Web home page at www.fafsa.ed.gov or pick up a copy from Financial Aid Services.

The Renewal FAFSA is a tremendous time saver as responses from the prior cycles’ FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA are displayed, and you answer only those questions that are likely to have changed from the previous year.

The online application procedure is also available in Spanish.

Changes for 2017-2018

Beginning with the 2017-2018 FAFSA, the following changes have been put in place:

1. Students are now able to submit a FAFSA earlier. Students have been able to file a 2017-2018 FAFSA since October 1, 2016, rather than beginning on January 1, 2017. The earlier submission dates is a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as October 1, every year.
2. Students now report earlier income information. Beginning with the 2017-2018 FAFSA, students are required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017-2018 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) must report their 2015 income information, rather than their 2016 income information.

FSA ID

The FSA ID-a username and password-has replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN and must be used to log in to certain ED websites. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents. If you do not already have an FSA ID, you can create one when logging in to fafsa.gov, the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at www.nslds.ed.gov, StudentLoans.gov and StudentAid.gov.

Application Steps

Below are important steps that you need to follow to apply for financial aid.

1. Complete your FAFSA with your correct legal name as it appears on your Social Security Card.
2. Complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA using the actual figures from your 2015 Federal Income Tax Return, annual statements you receive from Social Security, TANF and/or Child Support, including any other documentation of other sources of income.

   Accuracy is very important when completing this step of the FAFSA, especially these items. Accuracy can be obtained by using the IRS data retrieval option in place of your Income Tax Return:

   1. Adjusted Gross income from the IRS 1040, IRS 1040A, or IRS 1040EZ.
   2. Income tax paid from the IRS 1040, IRS 1040A, or IRS 1040EZ.
   3. Income received from other sources, such as gift money from family, private sources, housing, food and other living allowances paid to members of the military, clergy and others (including cash payments and cash value of benefits).
   4. Household size should reflect only those family members who are being supported by the student or the student’s parents. (Do not include family members who do not fit the description found in the FAFSA instructions).
   5. Number of family members from the household who are in college (Do not include your parents).
   6. Cash and savings.
   7. Investment and other real estate net worth (Do not include the value of the house in which you or your family live).
   8. Dependent student’s income.
3. After completing the FAFSA online, submit the application electronically and either mail the signature page within 10-14 days or utilize the FSA ID which serves as an electronic signature.
4. About a week after filing your FAFSA electronically, you should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail. If you provided an email address, the SAR will be emailed to you. If you listed Del Mar College on your FAFSA (code 003563) you are not required to bring the SAR to Financial Aid Services. Although we will receive an Electronic Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) with your information, you must still contact Financial Aid Services for any other missing information.
5. The following documentation may be requested to complete your file:
   1. Del Mar College Resource Application available on the “eForm” section of the WebDMC portal. (Mandatory to open file after FAFSA has been received).
   2. 2015 IRS tax transcripts for parent and/or student (if IRS data retrieval option was not used).
   3. Verification Worksheet provided by Del Mar College located under “forms” on the Paying for College link (check your Missing Information page on WebDMC portal for appropriate worksheet, if applicable).
   4. Academic transcripts from all colleges attended.
   5. High School transcript with graduation date.
   6. Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (TXCHSE -- formerly known as GED certificate).

Failure to complete any of these steps, or if any of the information is inaccurate or missing, may cause a delay in the processing of your file.

In addition to these steps, you may request to schedule a personal interview with financial aid personnel.

Financial Aid Deadlines: Priority

Priority is given to you when you complete your financial aid file by the priority deadlines and show the greatest documented need.

Priority deadlines are established to allow ample time for the processing of your file and timely delivery of funds to you.

Applications for financial assistance are accepted after January 1 of each year for the following academic year. It is recommended that you apply at least two months before the priority deadline.

Financial Aid Program	Deadline
Academic Year	May 1
Spring Only	October 1
Summer Sessions	February 15

If the scheduled deadline falls on a holiday or weekend, you have until the next business day to turn in your paperwork.

All applications received after the priority deadline are awarded according to the availability of funds on a first-come, first-serve basis.