Step-by-step directions for completing your FAFSA as a Homeless Youth The first thing you need to do is go to the FAFSA website (https://studentaid.gov/) and create an FSA ID and password. There is a link to create an FSA ID at the top of the FAFSA home page. It is a lock with the words “FSA ID” under it. Once you click on this link, it will open a new page. You’ll need your social security number, address, and date of birth for this. Be sure to print the confirmation page. Once you create the FSA ID and password, you are now ready to complete the FAFSA. Go back to the FAFSA website and click on the “START A NEW FAFSA” button. If you have a Florida ID or Driver’s License, be sure to have it on hand. You will be applying for the 2023-2024 school year if you plan to start school in the Fall. If you plan to start school in the summer, you will need to do the 2022-2023 FAFSA as well as the 2023-2024 FAFSA. Go through each of the questions and answer them to the best of your ability.
When you get to the question that states “At any time on or after July 1, were you considered homeless or self-supporting”, you will mark YES.
If you are NOT an Unaccompanied Youth (Not Living with a Legal Parent/Guardian), please skip the next paragraph.
For Certified Unaccompanied Youth Only: The next question will ask “did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?”, you will mark YES (mark NO if you are living with a legal parent/Guardian). Marking YES will then qualify you as an independent student for financial aid purposes. This means you will not be required to have your parent’s tax information or to input their information into your FAFSA application. For the question that asks “Would you like to enter your parents’ information? Mark NO.”
Complete the remainder of the application. Review it and then sign it using your FSA ID and password. Make sure that you print your confirmation page and have it sent to you via email. Once you have been accepted to the college that you are applying to, please contact the Students in Transition (SIT) Program for a verification letter from the financial aid department confirming that you are enrolled in the program. If you need any further assistance, please contact the SIT Program.
Testing Center and Registration information can be found at the ACT website. ACT does offer Fee waivers for eligible students. Click Here for information on the ACT Fee Waiver Program.
Testing Center and Registration information for the SAT can be found on the CollegeBoard website. Click Here for information regarding SAT Fee Waivers.
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