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FAFSA Completion Initiative (FCI)
WHAT IS THE FAFSA COMPLETION INITIATIVE?
The Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion Initiative allows high
school districts, high schools, local educational agencies (LEAs), and certain
designated entities access to limited but valuable FAFSA information for
Maryland students. Participants can use the FAFSA information provided
through FCI to determine which individual students have submitted a (FAFSA) and
whether the FAFSA has any problems that requires corrections.
The goal of the
FAFSA Completion Initiative is to assist Maryland students and their families
in completing the FAFSA and make sure any unresolved issues or missing
information on the FAFSA is resolved prior to the beginning of the student’s
college academic year.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE FAFSA
COMPLETION INIATIVE?
Qualified
participates include high school districts, high schools, designated entities
approved by the U.S. Department of Education, and local educational agencies
(LEA) approved and verified by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)
as providing direct services to students related to postsecondary
attendance. Designated entities approved by the U.S. Department of
Education include but are not limited to: The Talent Search, Upward Bound, and
Student Support Services Programs (the TRIO Programs).
HOW CAN SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATE?
Participates must
complete the FAFSA Completion Initiative (FCI) Google Form and upload all
required forms.
When completing the
FCI Google Form certain forms are required:
·
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must
complete the LEA
Verification Form and Participation Agreement.
·
Non-Profit Organizations must
complete the Certification Form and Participation Agreement.
·
High schools/districts must complete
the Participation Agreement.
Completion of
the required forms allows organizations to have limited access to a student’s
FAFSA information through the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS).
Once all forms
have been completed click here to complete the
online FCI Participation Request Form.
If your high school, high school district, or designated
entity already participates in the
FAFSA Completion Initiative, but needs assistance in accessing their MDCAPS
account, please email fafsa.mhec@maryland.gov.
WHEN CAN I BEGIN TO ACCESS THE FAFSA
DATA?
Participating high schools, high school districts, and
designated entities can begin to access FAFSA data for the applicable FAFSA
cycle in MDCAPS after November 1 each year.
Participating users may review the FCI User Manual for
assistance in accessing the FAFSA Data for their students.