Applying for Financial Aid

Seattle Film Institute encourages students to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid programs. Every student could benefit from financial assistance so you should fill out this free application to determine eligibility for financial aid programs.

Who should apply for financial aid?

Every student who would like financial assistance with college costs. Do not assume you are not eligible for financial aid. Review the information below and apply for financial aid today!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid

SFI’s School Code is 042580

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) asks for basic information to determine your eligibility for all the financial aid programs sponsored by the Federal Government. The FAFSA is available on October 1st and must be completed annually so SFI can determine your renewed eligibility for Financial Aid. The quickest and most efficient way to file the FAFSA is online.

FAFSA 2024-25: Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do to prepare for filing the 2024-2025 FAFSA?
Students and families are encouraged to create their FSA ID if they have not already done so. It can take 1-3 days to verify a student or parent contributor’s identity so creating this ID in advance can simplify the process.
Create and Access Your StudentAid.gov Account

Other people might be required to contribute information on your FAFSA. Who is a contributor and how are they determined?
As you start completing the FAFSA, the form might direct you to contact others to provide their information on your FAFSA. Your or your parent’s answers will determine which contributors (if any) will be required to provide information. Each person required to contribute information is required to have their own separate StudentAid.gov Account (username and password), as seen in the link above. Also, you can determine who your contributor or contributors are by watching the Preparing for the FAFSA Form video.
Note:
• A contributor is not a grandparent, foster parent, legal guardian, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, even if they helped provide for or raise the student.
• A contributor on the FAFSA form doesn’t mean that they are financially responsible for the student’s education costs.

What does a contributor have to do?
• All required contributors must create an FSA ID to allow their tax information to be shared for FAFSA filing via the IRS Direct Data Exchange (IRS DDX).
• All contributors regardless of tax filing status for the applicable tax year will be prompted to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange (IRS DDX) to transfer tax information if they have a Social Security Number (SSN) OR an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). If a contributor is unable to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange (IRS DDX) they may manually add tax information.
• Each contributor needs a unique phone number or email to use the multi-factor authentication (MFA) system when setting up an FSA ID. A student and parent cannot use the same phone number or email for MFA.
• A contributor on the FAFSA form doesn’t mean that they are financially responsible for the student’s education costs.

What do contributors need to provide?
Contributors will be invited to complete their portion of the FAFSA form by entering their name, date of birth, Social Security Number, and email address. They must also provide personal and financial information in their own sections of the FAFSA form.

What if I am a contributor and don’t want to provide my information in my student’s FAFSA?
Being a contributor does not imply financial responsibility. However, if a required contributor refuses to provide their information, it will result in an incomplete FAFSA form, and the student will not be eligible for any federal student aid.

What if my parents are divorced? Who is the contributor to my FAFSA?
The parent included in the FAFSA as a contributor must be the parent that provides the greater portion of the student’s financial support. If that primary parent is remarried, the income of that parent’s spouse (stepparent) will also be required.

What is consent, and why do I have to provide it when completing the FAFSA 2024-25?
The Federal Future Act, passed by Congress in 2019, requires that every contributor on the FAFSA provide consent annually to:
• Have their federal tax information transferred directly into the FAFSA form via direct data exchange with the IRS.
• Have their federal tax information used to determine the student’s eligibility for federal student aid.
• Allow the U.S. Department of Education to share its federal tax information with postsecondary institutions and state higher education agencies for use in awarding and administering financial aid.
Even if students or contributors don’t have a Social Security Number, didn’t file taxes, or filed taxes outside of the U.S., they still need to provide consent to be eligible for federal financial aid.

What happens if a contributor does not want to provide consent on the FAFSA?
If a student, spouse, or parent doesn’t provide consent on the FAFSA, the Student Aid Index (SAI) will not be calculated, and the student will not be eligible for any federal aid.

Will non-custodial parents be contributors if they have not claimed the child on their taxes?
Starting with the Simplified FAFSA, students will determine which parent to report based on which one provides the most financial support. The reported parents will provide consent to transfer their taxes data even if they do not claim the student on their taxes.

If a parent does not want to or refuses to create an FSA ID, is there an alternative for that parent to provide consent, such as mailing a wet signed consent page?
There is no longer a separate signature page, and there won’t be a consent signature option on paper. An alternative option for contributors to provide consent who do not want to or refuse to create an FSA ID is to submit a paper FAFSA form completed by the student and all contributors and mailed to the Federal Student Aid processing center. This method is not recommended due to complexity and increased processing time.

To be eligible for federal financial aid, you must meet the requirements for each of the below:

• Enroll as a degree-seeking student
• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress
• Not be in default on a federal educational loan
• Not owe a refund on a federal educational grant or loan
• Register with Selective Service (if you are a male born on or after January 1, 1960, over 18 years of age and not currently in the armed forces)
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent

Determine if you need to include your parent’s information if you are applying for financial aid

For financial aid purposes, the federal government must determine if you are required to include your parent’s information when you apply for financial aid. The Department of Education will determine your dependency based upon responses entered on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are considered a dependent student, you will be required to enter your parent(s) information on the FAFSA. If you are considered an independent student, you will be required to enter your information on your FAFSA and information for your spouse, if applicable.

Federal Student Aid ID

If you are filing the online FAFSA, you can sign the form electronically by using your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. Students and parents who have not previously applied for a FSA ID are able to apply for one within the FAFSA application.

If you filed a FAFSA in a previous year and have forgotten your FSA ID, you can request a duplicate on the website.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

To complete your FAFSA online, visit: the FAFSA website. SFI’s school code is 042580.

After completing your FAFSA, print the FAFSA Confirmation Page for your records. If you have already completed a FAFSA for another school, click on “Make a Correction to a Processed FAFSA” and add SFI’s school code – 042580.

You will need your tax information from two years prior to fill out the current FAFSA—the FAFSA will indicate the correct tax year you need to report. By using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool in the FAFSA, the Department of Education makes the process easier than ever to submit this information.

If your or your family’s financial circumstances have changed, such as loss of a job or decreased income, or if you have other special or unusual circumstances, you may contact us to provide additional information and to request that your financial aid eligibility is determined based on these circumstances.

The Student Aid Report (SAR)

Your Student Aid Report summarizes the information you submitted when you filed the FAFSA and indicates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If you have filed the FAFSA electronically, you will receive an e-mail with a secure link for online access to your Student Aid Report. After receiving your Student Aid Report check it for errors. The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) listed on your Student Aid Report will determine the amount of financial aid you may be eligible to receive.

Submit additional documents, if needed, to complete your Application for Financial Aid

During the Financial Aid Process, there are many times when additional information may be required to complete an application for Federal Student Aid. When SFI receives your FAFSA information, we will review it and contact you for any additional information that we may need to review. Please respond promptly to any request from SFI for additional documentation.

The U.S. Department of Education selects approximately 1/3 of all financial aid applicants for verification. SFI is required by the Department of Education to request certain documents that ensure the accuracy of selected students FAFSA.

If your account is missing information or was selected for verification, SFI will send an e-mail to you outlining missing information/requirements that may be preventing financial aid from being awarded or disbursed. Please respond in a timely manner to allow for the awarding and release of any financial aid that you may be eligible to receive. Financial aid awards will not be created until this process is complete.

Financial Aid Tools Connect with our Financial Aid Team

Find more information on Seattle Film Institute financial aid and program costs using our financial tools and resources, including a Net Price Calculator to help you estimate the total cost of your degree specific to your situation.

Financial Aid Office

SFI’s Financial Aid Office is the place to go for questions about applying for financial aid – or any of the financial aspects of attending SFI. Ted Haase, our director of financial aid, will help you with every step so you can get going on your education. can get on your way to pursuing your education with as little hassle as possible.

To contact the financial aid office, call 206-568-4387 or email ted@sfi.edu. Office hours are 9am – 3pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Pacific Time).

Cost Calculator Estimate you costs

Use our Net Price Calculator to see how affordable a degree at SFI really is.

Other Financial Resources

FAFSA Information

Federal Student Loan Information

Personal Finances & Financial Literacy

Seattle Film Institute knows that personal financial decisions are important in your life, work in
filmmaking and paying for school, including expenses for food, rent, utilities, transportation and
other expenses. The information included below is provided to assist students with their financial
literacy, understand important financial concepts, become knowledgeable about student loans and
how these are repaid after college and other useful financial tools towards developing and
practicing strong financial habits.

• WA State Personal Financial Education: Learn to Manage Your Money Wisely –
https://dfi.wa.gov/financial-education/information-topic
• Financial Foundations – https://wa-tre.everfi-next.net/student/dashboard/wa-treachieve/financial-foundations
• Khan Academy – https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/financial-literacy
Financial Literacy offering brief sessions on budgeting, saving, use of credit cards, loans
& debt, insurance, scams & fraud and more

Financial Counseling – Federal financial counseling, offering help in managing basic finances,
understanding financial aid and student loans,
Student Financial Aid Federal Loans & Grants – Federal financial aid grants, student loans, basic
information, fees, interest rate
Student Loan Exit Counseling – provides, useful, valuable information about Federal student
loan repayment options
ECMC: Financial Awareness Basics
FTC: Identity Theft and Online Security
FTC: Comparing Credit, Charge, Secured Credit, Debit, or Prepaid Cards
myFICO: Credit Education
myFICO: Protecting Against Identity Theft – help you prevent identity theft

Local Food Banks:
Ballard Food Bank: https://www.ballardfoodbank.org/
Serves zip codes 98103, 98107, 98117 (Seattle addresses only), 98119, 98199; Hours: Monday,
Thursday: 2:00-7:00 p.m.
Bethany Food Bank: https://thecaremap.org/location/bethany-green-lake-food-bank/
Mondays, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Queen Anne Food Bank: https://volunteer.uwkc.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=58814
Food Bank Thursday, 2:00-4:00 p.m.; Meals Monday-Friday, 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Warm Meals
Ballard Sunday Dinner: Sundays, 5:00-6:00, served at Ballard First Lutheran Church,
Edible Hope Kitchen: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 5710 22nd Ave. NW, Seattle, WA
98107 Mon.-Fri., 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Here are more helpful tools and resources related to financial aid:

General Financial Aid Information

The Department of Education administers Student Financial Assistance Programs – the largest source of student aid in America, providing over $40 billion a year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance. Here you’ll find help for every stage of the financial aid process, whether you’re in school or out of school.

The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid – A reputable and respected resource in the industry, FinAid publishes this comprehensive guide to Financial aid

Glossary of Financial Aid Terms – A good resource for common terms used in regards to Financial Aid

Educational Resources for Washington State

Washington College Grant: Provides eligible students financial assistance for tuition, books, and fees

College Bound Scholarship: Provides financial assistance to low-income students who dream of a college education

Outside Scholarships

College Scholarships is useful tool information about private external scholarship sources for funding your education. Although we have determined that this Web site may benefit you, it is not controlled by or associated with Seattle Film Institute in any way. Please be a wise consumer in making decisions about financial aid. Generally students should never pay anyone any money to search for Financial Aid. There are several highly qualified free sources of financial aid help and free scholarship search services available to all.

WashBoard.org – Washington scholarship providers

https://washboard.wsac.wa.gov/login.aspx

Tax Credits for Education

The following resources are available for students and their families who may be eligible for educational tax benefits. Click on the links below for more information:

• IRS information on Educational Tax Benefits
• IRS Publication 970

Please note: In accordance with IRS regulations Seattle Film Institute does not provide personal tax advice. To determine your eligibility for a higher education tax credit, a student loan interest deduction or a deduction for qualified education expenses, please contact a personal tax advisor or the IRS.

Financial Aid Forms

To serve students and families in a more convenient and expeditious way, the SFI Financial Aid Office has made the following forms available.

Loan Reduction Form