Just for Parents
Q - Who should complete the Need Access application – me or the student?
- Either one - You have a couple of options for completing the Need Access application. One user, either the student or the parent, can choose to complete the entire application and then submit and pay the processing fee.
- Or, if either the student or the parent(s) does not wish to share this sensitive financial information with each other, then the student and the parent(s) can each register for separate user IDs. The data will be combined into one Need Access application and submitted to the school.
Important note: For security reasons, once a user starts one of the forms, that form is now locked by that user. If you decide that you and your student want to complete separate forms, be certain not to start the student form.
Q - Is there an additional charge for a separate parent log in/application?
No. There is just one fee for the student application. Students and parents can have separate log in credentials in order to keep financial information private. However, this does not require an additional fee. The data from both students and parents will be combined into one application requiring just one fee.
Q - Will my student see my financial information?
Not necessarily - If either the student or the parent(s) does not wish to share this sensitive financial information with each other, then the student and the parent(s) can each register for separate user IDs. The data will be combined into one Need Access application and submitted to the school.
Q - I am divorced or not currently married to my child’s other parent. How do I know which form to complete?
For Need Access, the main supporting parent, and stepparent if applicable, should complete the “Parent Form.” The other parent, and stepparent if applicable, should complete the “Non-custodial Parent Form.”
The main supporting parent is defined as the parent who the student lived with the most during the last 12 months. If the student didn’t live with either parent more than the other in the last 12 months, it is the parent that provided the most financial support during that time. If neither parent provided greater support during the last 12 months, it is the parent who most recently provided the greatest financial support.
Q - I have more than one child who is required to submit a Need Access application. Do I need separate accounts for each child’s application?
No, as the parent, you only need one account. Follow the instructions to retrieve or begin an application for one of your children. When you’re finished, click the “Begin Application for Another Student” link on the My Applications page.
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Before you Apply
Q - Why is my parents’ data required?
This gives your school a more complete picture of your financial situation and that of the other students at your school applying for school-based financial aid, such as grants and scholarships. If you do not provide this information, there is the possibility that you may not be considered for those funds. You can use the "Special Circumstances" section on the application to provide any further explanation about your situation.
Q - My parent's income may be too high for me to qualify for need-based aid. Should I still apply for Need Access? How do my parent's assets affect my chances of receiving need-based aid?
You should always apply for Need Access to see if you are offered any school-based aid. The Need Access application does not have any income or asset restrictions. There may be scholarships, grants, or loans available at your school based on other criteria uncovered in the Need Access application. If you are unsure of your situation, you are encouraged to call your financial aid office for further guidance.
Q - What’s the fee for Need Access?
New applicants: $28 (unlimited schools!)
Returning applicants: $15 (subsequent years)
Q - Will my parent(s) see my financial information?
Not unless you want them to. If either the student or the parent(s) does not wish to share this sensitive financial information with each other, then the student and the parent(s) can each register for separate user IDs. The data will be combined into one Need Access application and submitted to the school.
Q - When does the Need Access application become available to complete online?
The application is available by January 1st each year for the following academic year.
Q - What is the deadline to process my Need Access application?
Deadlines for completing your Need Access Application are set by your school. Applications can be submitted to Need Access until June 30th (the end of the academic year). For example, if you are applying for financial aid to cover the 2013-2014 academic year, your application can be submitted to Need Access until June 30, 2014.
Q - What type of information will I need to complete Need Access?
Check out the “Before You Apply” page for a checklist. You may need financial information from some or all of these documents, so we suggest you gather them before you begin the Need Access application.
Q - Who should complete the Need Access application – me or my parent(s)?
Either one - You have two options for completing the Need Access application:
- One user, either the student or the parent, can choose to complete the entire application and then submit and pay the processing fee.
- Or, if either the student or the parent(s) does not wish to share this sensitive financial information with each other, then the student and the parent(s) can each register for separate user IDs. The data will be combined into one Need Access application and submitted to the school.
Important note: For security reasons, once a user starts one of the forms, that form is now locked by that user. If you decide that you and your parents want to complete separate forms, be certain not to start their form.
Q - How many schools can I submit to?
You can choose up to 16 schools to start. You can always add more schools later with
no additional fee.
Q - How can I submit to more than 16 schools?
When you begin your application, simply start with your top 16 choices. Then, complete your application, and click the “Submit Applications” button on the My Applications page. After you submit and pay for your application, you can go back to the School Selection page and delete one or more schools to make room for the additional schools and resubmit your application at no additional cost.
Important note: The schools you add may require additional questions. Carefully review the student and parent(s) forms to be sure you complete your revised application.
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Returning Applicants
Q - I completed an application last year. Do I have to re-enter all of that data again?
No. You'll just need your password from last year. If you forgot your password, please use the "Forgot User ID or Password?" link on the Log In page. Please review all of your application carefully to be certain nothing has changed.
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Completing Your Application
Q - Can I begin an application now and return later? Is my data saved? Do I have to complete the entire application at once or can I save my application and return later?
Yes. And no. As you complete each page of the Need Access application, your data is saved. If you need to leave and return later to your application, simply login using your user ID and password. From the My Applications page, choose the form you wish to work on (student, parent, or non-custodial parent). If you were in the middle of completing that form, you will be asked if you would like to start over or pick up from where you left off.
Q - I am trying to access a form on the My Applications page and it shows that it is locked by another user. How can I unlock it?
If the parent or the student mistakenly begins one of the forms, and you decide that another user needs to access the form, the user who locked the form must log in and click the “Unlock & erase data” link on the My Applications page. In order to keep sensitive financial information private from other users, as soon as someone begins completing one of the Need Access forms (student, parent, or non-custodial parent), that portion of the application becomes locked from any other users. Important note: unlocking and deleting form data means that all of the data that’s been entered will be deleted. We are unable to retrieve this data once it is deleted.
Q - I have no idea what my income will be next year. What should I do?
You will need to provide an estimate of your income and assets for the coming year and enter that amount for the need analysis to be calculated. If you feel that you need to explain further, enter your explanation in the "Special Circumstances" section of the application.
Q - I have not filed my income taxes yet. What should I do?
We recommend completing your income tax forms before completing the Need Access Application. However, if this is not possible, you can select "Estimated IRS 1040 Form" or "Estimated IRS 1040A or 1040 EZ Form." Your school may request a final version of the tax form to verify and update your data.
Q - How am I supposed to complete my Need Access application by the financial aid office deadline, if I do not have my W2 yet?
You can provide an estimate of your financial information based on your paystubs, or you can update and re-submit your application once you receive your W2. This is similar to what you may have done on the FASFA.
Q - How do I find the status of my application?
When you log in to your account, the My Applications page gives you the most up-to-date information about your application. Here, you can see:
- Overall status of your application, such as whether or not it’s been submitted, or if changes have been made since you last submitted your application
- Percent complete for the various portions of your application, such as the school selection or any of the forms (student, parent and non-custodial parent)
- The schools you have selected
- The date your application was last submitted
Q - What do the statuses mean on the My Applications page?
The My Applications page shows the overall status of your application:
- Submitted - your most recent application data was submitted to your school(s) and payment, if required, was received. Unless you make a change to your application, there is nothing further to do.
- Unsubmitted - you have not yet submitted your application for processing, and therefore, your schools have not received your information. If all of the sections for your current application show 100% complete, click the “Submit Application” button to submit your application. Otherwise, please complete the sections that are not yet complete.
- Changed - you made a change to one or more sections of your application since it was last submitted. Carefully review the sections of your application to be sure that your changes didn’t require additional information. When you are satisfied with your application, click “Submit Application” to re-submit your application for processing. Note: Additional payment will not be required.
- Payment Pending - we received your application, but haven’t received verification from PayPal that your payment was successful. The Payment Information section of the My Applications page will provide additional details of your specific status and further instructions.
Q - What if I don’t have a U.S. Social Security number (SSN)?
The first person (student or parent) to begin an application would indicate that the student doesn’t have an SSN when asked for it, and would request that an Applicant ID be created for the student. Any subsequent users who are completing a form or forms for this application must have the student’s Applicant ID so that the system can retrieve the correct student.
To find the Applicant ID, the first user should log in and click “Step 1: Identify Applicant” from the My Applications page.
Q - I am an international student and I don’t have a U.S. Social Security number. How do I find my Application ID to give to my parents?
Log in and click “Step 1: Identify Applicant” from the My Applications page.
Q - I received income from non-U.S. sources. How should I complete the application?
If you filed a non-U.S. tax form, you will be asked similar questions about your income and assets without reference to the IRS forms.
Q - How do I submit my application?
If all of the sections for your current application show 100% complete, click the “Submit Application” button to submit your application. You will receive any further instructions from your school, and if payment is required, you will be directed to PayPal to make your payment. We suggest you print a copy of your application once it is submitted from the link on the My Applications page. Important Note: It is important that your application is complete before submitting it. Your school(s) requires the information in this application to determine your eligibility for certain kinds of financial aid. If you do not complete your application, there is the possibility that you may not be considered for those funds.
Q - How do I submit payment?
Payment is handled through PayPal. When you submit your application, you will be directed to PayPal to make your payment. If your payment is successful, we will send your data to your school(s) for processing.
Q - Do I need a PayPal account?
No. You can make a payment with PayPal as a one-time user. Pay online with your PayPal balance, bank account, credit or debit card.
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After You Submit Your Application
Q - I submitted my application. Now what?
Once we receive confirmation that your payment was successful with PayPal (or, payment was not required), we will send your data to the school(s) you selected. Your school(s) will use this data to help determine your eligibility for school-based financial aid.
Q - What if I have to make a change or update my application?
Once your application has been submitted, you can make changes to any of the forms and re-submit your application for no additional fee. Simply open the form (student, parent, or non-custodial), and make your changes. You should review your entire application to be sure that the changes you made didn’t require additional information or questions. We also recommend that you print a copy of your revised application using the Print Application link on the My Applications page.
Q - I submitted my Need Access application before I received by current tax return. The information on my tax return is different than my Need Access application; do I need to re-submit my Need Access application based on my tax return?
We encourage you to call your schools to find out if they suggest you update and re-submit your application, based on your tax return. Note that you can re-submit your application for free.
Q - How do I add schools after I’ve already submitted my application?
Once your application has been submitted, you can add schools to receive your data and re-submit your application for no additional fee. Simply login and click the School Selection link on the My Applications page. Add the new school(s) and then click Next. Important note: The schools you add may require additional questions. Carefully review the student and parent(s) forms to be sure you complete your revised application.
See “How can I submit to more than 16 schools?” if you need to submit your data to more than 16 schools.
Q - Is there a fee for re-submitting?
No! You can re-submit your application as many times as you need to for no additional fee.
Q - I was not asked to make a payment when I submitted my application. Was my application submitted?
If payment wasn’t required when you submitted your application, the My Applications page will indicate that your application was Submitted, and that payment was made by your school.
Q - How do I know if schools have received my application?
Once your application is submitted, it is automatically available to the schools you've selected. To see a list of those schools, log into your account, and navigate to the My Applications page. Once there, you can view a list of schools to which you applied, and the date you last submitted an application to a school.
Q - I successfully submitted my Need Access application without completing the parent form. I later went back into my application and added more schools. I cannot re-submit my application without completing the parent form now. I am not able to obtain my Parent's information, so what should I do?
If you are unable to submit any of your parent or non-custodial parent information, please provide an explanation in the Special Circumstances section of the student form. Note that failing to provide parent or non-custodial parent information could negatively impact your chance for need-based aid from your school.
Q - How can I get a copy of the application for my records?
Log in to your account and click the Print Application link from the My Applications page.
Q - The need-based aid I received based on my Need Access application is very different than the need-based aid based on the FAFSA. Why is there a difference?
There may be a difference because information contained on the FAFSA is used to award federal and/or state need-based aid whereas Need Access is used to award institutional need-based aid or scholarships.
Note: This summary will only contain the questions and answers for the forms you own. If other users, such as your parents, complete one of the forms using their own accounts, they will need to login and print a copy of their form.
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General Questions
Q - How do I change my name? Contact Information? Password?
Log into your account, and navigate to the My Applications page. Once there, switch to the My Profile tab near the top. You can change your name, e-mail address, security questions, and your security phrase and image. When you are finished with your changes, make sure you click Save & Continue. Note that you cannot change your User ID.
Q - Can my Need Access Application be submitted in paper form?
Need Access applications can only be submitted using the online application. However, you can download paper worksheets to assist you in completing the online application.
Q - What are the hardware and software requirements for Need Access?
You need a computer with a web browser installed and access to the Internet. Please make sure that you have JavaScript enabled in your web browser. We support Internet Explorer 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, and the most recent version of Firefox, Safari, and Chrome. If you would like to print your application, you will also need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.
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If you still have a question about Need Access, please call 800-282-1550, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET. If your question is about a specific question on the application, please be sure to have the question reference number located next to the question.