ATTENTION:

CHIPS (Core 40 and Honors Internet Update System)

THE CHIPS DATABASE DEADLINE FOR REPORTING ELIGIBLE CORE 40 DIPLOMA/ACADEMIC HONORS DIPLOMA STUDENTS GRADUATING SPRING 2008 IS
*Friday, June 27^th 2008*.

Now is the time to update (correct, add) students in the CHIPS database for your Core 40 or Academic Honors 8^th semester students who are graduating with either a Core 40 Diploma with at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or an Academic Honors Diploma with at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Instructions to update the CHIPS database can be found online at the SSACI website: http://www.in.gov/ssaci/highschool/2008-CHIPSInstructions.pdf

After June 27, 2008 you will need to contact SSACI to update, correct, or add students to the CHIPS database.

If you have any further questions about the CHIPS reporting process please do not hesitate to call 317-232-2368 or email to ahdc40@ssaci.in.gov.

Thank you for all you do to help students achieve their education goals.

New for 2008-2009 FAFSA

The Department of Education would like to thank you for your continued support in moving to alternate methods of completing the FAFSA. The FAFSA on the Web Worksheet (FOTW) is the most effective tool students can use to facilitate the online application process and will still be available for bulk order by schools. The FOTW website is http://www.fsapubs.org/ and click “Federal Student Aid for Students”.

NEWS!
1) Beginning with the filing of the 2008-2009 FAFSA Paper FAFSA’s will NOT be available for schools to order via www.FSAPubs.org . Students themselves will be able to obtain a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center toll free at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Students may request up to three copies of the paper application and should receive their FAFSAs in 3 to 7 business days.
2) New for the 2008-2009 is a PDF version of the FAFSA that students can submit for processing. The PDF version of the FAFSA will be available for download on various Federal Student Aid web sites, such as www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. Students can access the PDF, complete the form on the computer or by hand, and mail it to the address provided for processing. Schools will also be able to access the PDF from the Department of Education websites including FSAPubs at www.FSAPubs.org.

NEWS!
Beginning January 1, 2008, students and parents will be able to apply for and receive a "real-time" PIN when completing a FAFSA on the Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov) or when applying for a PIN on the Departments PIN Web site (www.pin.ed.gov).

The Department of Education decided to make this real-time PIN available not only for first-time PIN applicants but also for those who have lost or forgotten a previous PIN. After receiving the real-time PIN, applicants will be able to change the PIN to a number that is meaningful to them.

A. First-time PIN applicants will instantly receive a conditional PIN that will allow them to electronically sign their FAFSA on the Web.

B. The conditional PIN can only be used to sign the original application that students and/or parents are completing at the time they applied for the PIN.

C. The data supplied by the PIN applicant will then be verified with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

1) If the applicants PIN information is accurate, the conditional PIN will then be good for all processes that require a PIN in the future.

2) If the applicants data does NOT pass the SSA match, they will receive a SAR with a rejected signature comment and the school will receive a rejected ISIR. The students and/or parents will then need to provide the required FAFSA signatures. Students and parents will need to correct PIN data to receive their PINs.

NEWS!
As of 12/05/07 the 2008-2009 CPS Web demo site is available. It includes demos for FAFSA on the Web, FAA Access to CPS Online, and R2T4. The web site is "fafsademo.test.ed.gov". The user name is "eddemo" and the password is "fafsatest". (no quotes)

HOOSIER SCHOLAR

Hoosier Scholar recipients, who were reported through the Hoosier Scholar database by High School Guidance Directors, will be receiving Hoosier Scholar certificates, a congratulation letter from Governor Daniels, and a Student acceptance form which students must return to our office by June 23, 2008. Thank You for your time and effort that you have provided to make the Hooosier Scholar program successful.

If you have questions please call or email Ada Sparkman 317-232-2355 or asparkman@ssaci.in.gov

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION - POWERPOINT RESOURCES:

Click here to access the Slide Presentation given at DePauw University 11/21/07: 2008-2009 FAFSA Application Overview and the Relationship to SAR/ACG/SSACI CHIPS Reporting

RESOURCES:

Click here for a list of the High School Financial Aid Night Presenter Resource Request by County.  You may use this list to call and request a financial aid professional from a college to present for your financial aid night at your high school financial aid night held anywhere from the beginning of December 2007 up to and including February of 2008.

High School Financial Aid Night Flyer: To publicize the high school's Financial Aid Night (PDF format or MS Word format)

March 10th FAFSA Receipt Deadline Flyer (PDF format): Notes the importance of this date for consideration for the Frank O'Bannon Grant, 21st Century Scholarship, and the National Guard Supplemental Grant