FAQs

Please feel free to contact ISM College Planning at 1-317-416-2888 or by email at Outreach@ISMCollegePlanning.org

• I keep hearing I should fill out the FAFSA, even though I’m sure I won’t get any money. Should I file the FAFSA?

  Simply put, YES! Everyone heading off to college should complete the FAFSA. There is no income cut-off to qualify for aid and there are many factors, not just income, that go into deciding aid eligibility. Remember the FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for aid from the federal government, the state, and sometimes the college or university you are planning to attend. Some schools might not even consider you for institutional aid unless you have completed the FAFSA. The FAFSA is also required to be eligible for federal student loans that have low interest rates and a variety of benefits when you are in repayment.

  If you have questions or need help filing your FAFSA, please email Outreach@ISMCollegePlanning.org or call 317-416-2888.

• My parents are divorced. I don’t know which set of information to use on the FAFSA. Can you help?

  If your parents are divorced or separated the parental information the FAFSA is looking for is the parent with whom you have lived with more over the last year. If you lived with each parent and equal amount of time use the information of the parent who provided more financial support during the last 12 months.

  Remember, if the parent you are using for the FAFSA is remarried, you must include step-parent information as well.

  For more information on which parent to use take a look at: http://studentaid.ed.gov/es/sites/default/files/fafsa-parent.pdf

• Is Cost of Attendance the same as tuition?

  No. Cost of attendance is the total expenses for a student at a particular college or university. This may include expenses like room and board, books, misc. fees and also tuition.

  Tuition is the amount a student will play for classes or instruction.

• What is the official website where I can fill out the FAFSA?

  The official website to file the FAFSA is www.FAFSA.gov.

• What is federal work-study?

  The federal work-study program helps provide jobs for students who show financial need. In some cases the job will line up with your major and be on campus, while others may be community service jobs based off-campus. The income earned while working for a federal work-study job is taxable, however, the FAFSA removes work-study income from the calculation of a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

  For more info. about work-study jobs go to http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/types/work-study.

• Do I need a pin number for financial aid?

  A PIN is an electronic signature and can be used to sign and access your FAFSA electronically. If you intend to complete the FAFSA online, or make corrections online, a PIN is required. It can also be used for several other parts of the student financial aid process.

  Remember, both the student and a parent (for dependant students) will need their own PIN. To apply for a PIN go to www.PIN.ed.gov.

• What is the difference between an unsubsidized loan and a subsidized loan?

  If you have a subsidized loan you will not be charged interest on that loan while you are in school (enrolled at least part-time) or when your loans are in deferment. If you loans are unsubsidized you are responsible for the interest that accrues until the loan is paid in full.

  You must complete a FAFSA to be eligible for subsidized or unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans.

• I’m not sure what I want to do after college. Is there a tool you would recommend to help me narrow my career search?

  If you’re looking for help picking a career we recommend you use the Skills Profiler at http://careerinfonet.net/skills/default.aspx. This tool will help you match your skills and interests with career paths.

  You can get additional information on career paths at: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors-careers.

• What is the FAFSA filing deadline in Indiana to be eligible for state grant money?

  To be eligible for aid from the state of Indiana you must have your FAFSA filed by March 10th.

• If you were going to do a search for legitimate scholarship money, where would you look?

  The first place to look for scholarship money is locally with your high school guidance counselors and at your place of employment. Churches and other civic organizations in your area are also a good place to look. When searching online we recommend students use the following free scholarship search sites.

  • www.fastweb.com
  • www.collegenet.com/mach25
  • http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships
    • Click: “Free scholarship search tool”

  Note: Scholarship searches should always be free and never require and personal information such as your social security number or bank account information.

Always remember if you have a question about anything on this website, feel free to drop us a note at Outreach@ISMCollegePlanning.org and we’ll respond with an answer quickly!