FAFSA 101

To ensure Ivy Tech receives an electronic copy of your FAFSA, include the Ivy Tech Community College school code 009917. This code is used for all Ivy Tech locations.

All contributors to the FAFSA (students and parents, if applicable) must be authenticated using a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). An FSA ID is a username and password that you can use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites. 

Users who have not previously completed a FAFSA and still need to create an FSA ID should do so as soon as possible by creating an account at studentaid.gov. To obtain an FSA ID, users need a social security number (SSN) or must undergo a knowledge-based, matching quiz to validate their identity.

Once you have created an FSA ID, it becomes your permanent FSA ID for use from year to year. Do not try to create a new one each year—this will cause FAFSA processing errors. Be sure to use a permanent email address on the form, not your high school email so you can use your FAFSA account throughout college.

Create an Account to Get Your FSA ID

When filling out your FAFSA, you will need access to forms of identification such as:

Your Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number

You can find the number on your Social Security card. If you don’t have access to it and don’t know where it is, ask your parent or legal guardian or get a new or replacement Social Security card from the Social Security Administration.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, but meet Federal Student Aid’s basic eligibility requirements, you’ll need to supply your Alien Registration number.

Your Driver’s License Number

If you don’t have a driver’s license, don’t worry about this step.

Special Circumstances Review: 

We understand that there may be situations when a student's true financial situation is not fully reflected by the questions on the FAFSA. These students may be considered on a case-by-case basis for a Special Circumstances Review.

Reasons that MAY be considered for a Special Circumstances Review:

• Loss of employment
• Loss of other income
• Death of student's spouse (or dependent student's parent)
• Unusual expenses (such as medical costs)

Reasons that CANNOT be used for a Special Circumstances Review:

• Charitable giving
• Vacation expenses
• Tax bills
• You already qualify for the maximum Pell Grant and loan amounts ("zero EFC")

If you feel you have an extreme situation that may allow for a Special Circumstances Review, visit your campus Financial Aid office to determine if you should complete the Special Circumstances Review form. The Financial Aid office will review your situation with you and determine what documentation you need to submit to support your request for this review.

• Complete Special Circumstance Form
• Submit to campus Financial Aid Office
• Supply any additional documentation if necessary
• Monitor Ivy Tech email address for response

Unusual Circumstances Review: 

We understand that there may be situations when a student does not meet the federal financial aid requirements to be considered independent on the FAFSA and yet, may not be able to provide parent information. These students may be considered on a case-by-case basis for a Review.

Reasons that MAY be considered for a Review

• Abandonment by parents
• Abusive family environment that threatens your health or safety
• Parents' location is unknown
• Other extreme situations with documentation

Reasons that CANNOT be used for a Review

• Parents refuse to contribute to your education
• Parents are not willing to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification
• Parents do not claim you as a dependent for income tax purposes
• You fully support yourself financially

Note: The unwillingness of your parent(s) to provide the information requested on the FAFSA or by the Financial Aid Office or the unwillingness to financially support you is NOT an acceptable reason to appeal your dependency status.

If you feel you have an extreme situation that may allow for a Review, visit your campus Financial Aid Office to determine if you should complete the Unusual Circumstances Review Form. The Financial Aid Office will review your situation with you and determine what documentation you will need to submit to support your request for a Review.

• Complete Unusual Circumstances Form
• Submit to campus Financial Aid Office
• Supply any additional documentation if necessary
• Monitor Ivy Tech email address for response

Students Without a High School Diploma

If you do not have a high school diploma (or High School Equivalency Diploma) and have not been home-schooled, please be aware of the following:

• Students who were enrolled in a program of study prior to July 1, 2012 will be considered for financial aid.
• Students who enroll in a program of study after July 1, 2012 will not be eligible for financial aid without a high school diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma.
• If you DO have a high school diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma (or you will have one prior to enrolling at Ivy Tech), or you were home-schooled but mistakenly answered "no" to those questions on your FAFSA, you can correct your FAFSA. Go to FAFSA.gov and select Make FAFSA Corrections, or talk with your local Financial Aid Office.

Homeless or Unaccompanied Youth or At Risk of Being Homeless

Have you, at any time on or after July 1, 2012, been identified (by your high school district homeless liaison or the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) as an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or at risk of being homeless? If so, click here for more information and documentation instructions.

Ward of the Court, Orphan, or Emancipated Minor or Legal Guardianship

If you are a Ward of the Court, an Orphan, an Emancipated Minor, or in a Legal Guardianship, please click here for more information and documentation instructions.

Drug Offenses

Some students who were convicted of a federal or state offense for selling or possessing illegal drugs (offenses that occurred while they were receiving federal student aid) may not be eligible to receive federal student aid for a specific period of time.

Information from your most recent FAFSA will be used to determine your financial aid eligibility for the summer semester. If you have already filed the FAFSA for the current academic year, you do not need to re-file. If you need to add Ivy Tech to your FAFSA, our school code is 009917.