We generally always encourage students to complete the FOTW. It is much quicker and also the IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows the tax information to be accurate and which creates a more accurate EFC and lessons the need for corrections. It is also important for students to understand the application process and also what information their eligibility is based on.
Allison,
All good points. I agree it is important to ensure the student has an understanding of the application process and their eligibility. The FOTW with IRS Data Retrieval Tool is an excellent option for students and parents.
Sincerely, Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
We use the online FAFSA application. It is easier to submit the application online. In addition, making corrections takes less time when using the online application. Another benefit is when a dependent student doesn't live close to their parents. Both the parent and the student can access the FAFSA from different locations using the online version.
Christy,
Appreciate your comments. Many of the other participants have discussed the benefits related to easy for student, IRS Data Retrieval Tool and those benefits but your comment on the parent's option is very important. These comments are helpful to all the participants.
Sincerely, Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
Our school gives students the option to call our FAFSA support line which can help them navigate through the FOTW. Students may also fill out the FOTW on their own if they feel comfortable with it. Any verifications needed the students are assisted by our ground financial services department to obtain needed documents.
Jennifer,
Your response outlines the options for your students and takes into consideration how the student wants to be serviced. An option for assistance (if needed) and the ability to allow the student to "self-serve." It has been my experience that the process of financial aid is not a one-size fits all and your process allows the students' needs to be met.
Best wishes in your continued pursuit of online financial aid knowledge.
Sincerely Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
It was great reading how others have found the FOTW to be so efficient, since we are still in the process of starting our FA office, this has definitely put me in the direction of wanting to focus in that direction.
Talia,
I am thrilled that you found beneficial information within the Application Process Module and will be able to take this information forward with the set up of your FA Office.
Best wishes with your set up in FA as you move forward in participation. Financial Aid participation is a big responsibility but with standard polices and procedures and communication between internal and external teams it can be a great asset for your students.
Sincerely, Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
We use the FAFSA on the web process for our students; we meet one-on-one with them and help them complete their FAFSA in our office. By doing this it helps reduce corrections and ensure their FAFSA is fully completed with no missing information so it gets process in a timely manner. Our students also have the option of doing their own FAFSA from home but the majority of the time we have to make corrections either because they did not do it right or didn’t use the IRS data retrieval tool.
Alessandra, Based on your response it appears you have a good solid process in place to take care of your student's financial aid needs. The FOTW is a good process but it is necessary from time to time to provide assistance to those that require it.
Regards,
David McGuffee
We use FAFSA on the WEB, the main reasons being that most of our students who enroll either do not have a computer or feel uncomfortable doing it on their own. Even though it is very simple some of them feel overwhelmed entering the info.
Navin,
I think you will find that more and more students will be comfortable with online processing with FOTW due to more and more students growing up with more online experience. It is important that you have a method to recognize those that require more of a hands-on approach. As long as you have the ability to identify those that need more assistance your approach of maximizing the utilization of FOTW should be successful.
Sincerely, Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
Our institution prefers using the online application for several reasons.
First, we feel that it is more efficient. A student can complete an application online, if the next day he notices that he needs to make a correction, with his PIN he can go back to the application and make the appropriate changes. That wouldn’t be available with a paper FAFSA. Once it is mailed out, it cannot be corrected.
Second, for students who seem to be tardy, a FAFSA completed online will ensure that it will be received by the correct deadline. The same cannot be said with a FAFSA that is mailed out. For example, in the State of New York, FAFSA need to be received by June 30th, 2016. FAFSA received after this deadline may have access to limited funding.
Third, when a FAFSA is submitted online the student can have proof right away that his paperwork was filled out properly and that it was submitted. The same cannot be said with a paper FAFSA. The information is filled by the student and is not reviewed until it is received by the Department of Education.
Finally, an electronic FAFSA can be filled out a lot quicker. Most students nowadays can type faster than they can write. The electronic FAFSA can be linked to the IRS website. With the paper FAFSA a student would need to have his tax information (and in certain instances his parent’s information)on hand which is at times problematic for certain students.
As anyone ever came across a situation where using a paper FAFSA was more convenient? The only instances I can think of would be in the case of identity theft.
Sahri,
I believe most of us in the FA Community have come to prefer the FOTW process for many of the reasons you listed in your response to the forum. The convenience, empowering students, efficiency in the process. etc. Now with the IRS Data Retrieval function more and more aid administrators are embracing the positive aspects of FOTW. Great points!
Best wishes in your continued online educational process.
Respectfully, Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
Our school uses the FAFSA on the web.The student can come in and we do it together or they can do it themselves at home. It is more convenient to use and we can link taxes at that time.
Gisela, I think more and more students will be comfortable with online processing through FAFSA on the web due to their experience using the internet while growing up. It is also important that you have a method to recognize those that require more of a hands-on approach.
Regards,
David McGuffee
