Getting Started
Congratulations on your decision to pursue your educational goals! The next question for many students revolves around what financial aid options are available. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. It really is true that help is out there and here are three easy steps to get started:
Step 1 - Apply for your PIN
You will need a PIN to "electronically sign" the FAFSA-on-the-Web (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and you can use your PIN each year when you apply. Your PIN will also give you access to your personal information in the U.S. Department of Education system. If you are dependent for aid purposes, one of your parents will also need a PIN.
Step 2 - Complete the FAFSA-On-the-Web
To apply for federal student aid and many state student aid programs, students must first complete the FAFSA. Go to the FAFSA-On-the-Web and complete the application. The information you provide will help determine aid eligibility for those who qualify. To complete the application for 2007-08, you will need:
- Your 2006 Tax Return or your W-2s, if you are not required to file taxes.
- Your Parents´ 2005 Tax Return and other information regarding their untaxed income and assets. You will need your parent’s information, IF:
- You were born on or after January 1, 1984,
- You are not married,
- You do not have children who receive more than ½ of their support from you,
- You do not have legal dependents (other than children) who live with you and for whom you provide more than half of their support,
- You are not an orphan or ward of the court,
- You are not a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces,
- You are not currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposed other than training.
- Your PIN (if your parents´ information is required on the FAFSA, they will need their PIN also).
- Lehigh Valley College’s FAFSA School Code: 008889
Step 3 - Contact the school
- to arrange a meeting with a Tuition Planner. After you have completed the FAFSA-on-the-Web we will receive your data in about a week. Then we will have what we need to determine your aid eligibility and provide you with a customized financial plan.
"How is my eligibility determined?" The FAFSA-on-the-Web is processed by the Department of Education and will provide the school with a figure called an Expected Family Contribution or EFC. The EFC is the amount that you theoretically can contribute toward your education.
The school will estimate the costs of your program and living expenses while you attend school. This is referred to as a Budget or Cost of Attendance. This Budget includes both direct (tuition, books and fees) and indirect (room, board, transportation and personal expenses) costs. The school will use these figures to calculate your estimated financial aid eligibility.
Some records are selected for "verification" by the Department of Education. If selected the school must review the data provided. If your application is selected, we will ask for additional information from you and your family, such as, W-2s, tax returns and verification of household information. Data matches are also preformed with other federal agencies, if your file is selected by one of these matches you may be asked to provide additional information.
For more information about federal financial aid, click here.
Click here to learn more about the financial aid options available (for those who qualify) to help you finance your education. This presentation will also show you the information you will need to get started on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
