<p>This is from the FA Office at my school:
Federal regulations require the Office of Student Financial Aid to use 2010 financial information from the FAFSA when determining financial need for the 2011-2012 school year. </p>
<p>I was just wondering just exactly what this entails. My FAFSA for 2010-2011 showed an EFC of 0, therefore I got the full pell grant. For 2011-2012 FAFSA, my EFC does not warrant a pell grant due to increased income. </p>
<p>Is this saying that even though I filled out the 2011-2012 FAFSA, it is worthless?</p>
<p>No, it’s saying that the financial information you used to fill out the 2011-12 FAFSA is your 2010 income.</p>
<p>You couldn’t have given them your 2011 income, because that is not known yet.</p>
<p>Each FAFSA you fill out if for the upcoming academic year, but it’s based on your financial information from the year just recently completed.</p>
<p>It sounds as though, based on your 2010-11 FAFSA (which you filled out using your 2009 lower income), you received a Pell grant. Your 2011-12 FAFSA is based on your higher 2010 income, and so you did not qualify for the Pell. The message from the financial aid office is explaining that: Your eligibility for the Pell for the 2011-12 academic year is based on your 2010 income.</p>
<p>You have to re-submit the FAFSA every year.</p>
<p>Your 11-12 FAFSA is not worthless. It will be used to award aid for the 11-12 award year. If you want any financial aid at all (this includes student loans), the FAFSA is required.</p>