New year, new FAFSA! If you have not already done so, you may now file your 2014-2015 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available at www.fafsa.gov.The earlier you complete the FAFSA, the better chance you have of receiving the maximum amount of aid for which you may be eligible. You do not need your (your parents’) 2013 income tax return to file your FAFSA. You may estimate your income and tax figures based on prior year information. However, you will be required to update your financial information once you (your spouse, if married, or your parents, if dependent) file your 2013 income tax return. The easiest and most accurate way to update your information is to use the IRS Data Retrieval System.
IRS Data Retrieval System – Expected to be available in early February
FAFSA on the Web allows you to access your (your parents’) IRS tax information and import it directly to the FAFSA. The 2014-2015 FAFSA includes a brief series of questions to determine whether you are eligible for IRS data retrieval. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is expected to be available in early February.
The Office of Student Financial Assistance advises all NSU students (and parents of dependent students) to file their 2013 tax returns as soon as possible so that they may be eligible for IRS data retrieval.
Students who are selected for verification and have not used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will be required to submit an IRS transcript of their taxes (and parent taxes for dependent students) for verification purposes or to update their FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
The FAFSA determines your eligibility for grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans, and is the essential first step in receiving financial aid from federal, state, institutional, and private sources. For questions, please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance via telephone at (954) 262-3380 or 800-806-3680 or via email at finaid@nova.edu.