What is Triton's Title IV school code? 

The Triton College Title IV school code is 001773.  

 Where can I get a copy of the FAFSA?
A worksheet outlining the FAFSA is available at the Triton College Financial Aid Office. However, the actual FAFSA application must be completed on the Web at http://www.fafsa.gov.

How can I get a copy of my W-2 Forms?
Students may request a copy of their W-2 Forms (Wage Transcript) from their employer or by calling the IRS Customer Service number at (800) 829-1040.

How can I get a copy of my tax return?

Students may request a copy of their tax return (Tax Return Transcript) by calling the IRS Customer Service number at (800) 829-1040, (800) 908-9946 or at www.irs.gov.

How soon after Jan. 1 should the FAFSA form be sent in? Is it better to wait until the income tax forms have been completed?
There are two possible scenarios:

• We encourage students to file as soon as possible after Jan. 1. If a student would like to file early (before taxes are completed), they may do so by providing estimates of income, so long as they aren't very far off from the actual values. However, the student must keep in mind that they will have to log back into their online FAFSA account and correct their answers when they have their completed taxes.
• Otherwise, students may wait until their taxes are completed to provide the actual information from their 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, and W-2. However, those who apply early maximize their financial aid opportunities.
• Students are encouraged to use the "IRS Data Retrieval" tool when completing the FAFSA. The retrieval tool will save you time and increase the accuracy of your FAFSA information. 

Why can't I submit my financial aid application before Jan. 1?
The FAFSA uses the student’s/student’s family's income and tax information from the most recent tax year (the base year) to judge their eligibility for need-based financial aid during the upcoming academic year (the award year). Since the base year ends Dec. 31, students cannot submit a financial aid application until Jan. 1 for the following fall. If a student attempts to submit the financial aid application before Jan. 1, it will be rejected.

I sent in my FAFSA over four weeks ago but haven't heard anything. What should I do?
If a student has not received a Student Aid Report (SAR), they should call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 4-FED-AID (toll free) or (800) 433-3243. The student must provide the Information Center with their Social Security number and date of birth as verification.

The semester has already begun. Is it too late to apply for financial aid?
No, it is not too late! The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed until June 30 each year. The only requirement is that the student must still be an enrolled in classes at the time of their application. The FAFSA is available online at http://www.fafsa.gov.

My parents will not help me pay for school. Can I file as an “independent”?
The Federal government considers a student to be Independent if they meet one or more of these criteria:

• Are 24 years of age or older.
• Have already received their first bachelor’s degree and will be working towards their master’s or doctorate degree during the FAFSA-related academic year.
• Are married (including those who are separated but not divorced).
• Have children for whom they provide more than half of the economic support.
• Have dependents other than a child or spouse, for whom they provide more than half of the economic support.
• Are an orphan (both parents are deceased) or ward of the court, or were a ward of the court until the age of 18.
• Are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training.
• Are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

All other students are considered to be dependent, and the parents’ information and signature will be required on the FAFSA. If a student believes they have a situation that should be considered individually, ask to speak with a Financial Aid advisor.

What is an EFC and how is it used to determine my eligibility?
The Federal Government considers the student/student’s family to be primarily responsible for the cost of the student’s education. The Department of Education uses the information the student reported on their FAFSA to estimate how much money the student/student’s family is able to pay toward their education. This amount is called an EFC, which stands for Expected Family Contribution. The EFC does not represent what the student/student’s family may actually need to contribute towards the student’s education; it is an estimated amount which is compared to the actual cost of attending Triton College.

The remaining amount is called unmet financial need (Cost of Attendance – EFC = Financial Need). The Triton College Financial Aid Office will award the maximum amount of financial aid for which the student is eligible, in an effort to meet Financial Need. The remainder must be met by the student/student’s family.

Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year?
Yes, there are no exceptions to this. If the student’s financial circumstances change, they may get more or less aid. The student’s eligibility for financial aid may change significantly, especially if they have a different number of family members in college. Renewal of the student’s financial aid package also depends on the student’s making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, such as completing a minimum percentage of courses attempted and achieving a minimum GPA.

What should I do if changes occur after I file the FAFSA?
If divorce, death, loss of employment or another major change occurs in the family situation, affecting the student/student’s family’s ability to contribute to the cost of education, the student should contact the Triton College Financial Aid Office to speak to a financial aid advisor who will discuss their options with them.