Educational Opportunity Center

(EOC)
Need help with your Free Application for Federal Student Aid?
(FAFSA)

What can EOC do? EOC Zoom FAFSA Events

FAFSA Submission FAFSA FRIDAY | 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m.

02/4, 02/18, 03/4, 03/18, 04/29, 05/6, 05/27

FAFSA Corrections FAFSA MIDDAY | 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

01/12, 01/25, 02/9, 03/23, 04/6

Student Loan Entrance Counseling FAFSA AFTER FIVE | 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

02/22, 03/29

ONE-STOP FAFSA WORKSHOP | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Master Promissory Note (MPN)
05/11 Lunch (12 pm - 2 pm)

Scan the QR Code or click on link to register for an event!

https://bit.ly/3nW67po_eocvirtualworkshops

TRiO staff will be able to answer your questions and help you complete your FAFSA.
**IF GUARANTEED PROCESSING DEADLINES HAVE PASSED. EOC cannot guarantee any
! documents will be processed in time for payment deadlines. This means you will need to
be prepared to make alternate payment arrangements for tuition and fees.

Need more information or want to schedule

a one-on-one appointment?
Contact the MTC Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)
at 803.822.3749 or MIDLANDSTECH.EDU/eoc
 Frequently Asked
FAFSA Questions
What is my dependency status?
If you can answer “yes” to any of the following statements, you are an independent student and will not have
to provide parental information. If you cannot answer “yes” to any of the following statements, you are a
dependent student and will be asked to provide parental information for program reporting requirements
and for the completion of the FAFSA.
> I am currently or I was in legal guardianship (court appointed to
> I was born before January 1, 1998 (if completing the
2021-22 FAFSA) someone other than parents). Note: Custody is different from
guardianship.
> I was born before January 1, 1999 (if completing the
2022-23 FAFSA) OCT. 1st > I will be working on a master's degree or doctoral program
> I am married (regardless of gender – considered legally (e.g., MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD)
married in the state or other jurisdiction in which the marriage > I have a special circumstance with approved documentation
took place) from Financial Aid
> I am serving as active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for > At any time on or after July 1, 2021 I am an unaccompanied
purposes other than training youth who is homeless or I am self-supporting and at risk of
> I am a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces being homeless*, as determined by (a) a high school or district
homeless liaison, (b) the director of an emergency shelter or
> I have or will have children who I provide more than half of
transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department
their support (July 1 – June 30)
of Housing and Urban Development, or (c) the director of a
> I have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living
me and I provide more than half of their support program.*
(July 1 – June 30)
*“ Homeless” strictly means lacking fixed or regular housing. This
> S ince turning age 13, both of my parents were deceased includes living in shelters, parks, motels, hotels, cars, or temporarily
> I was in foster care since turning 13 living with someone else because you have nowhere else to go.
Unaccompanied means that you’re not in the physical custody or
> I was a dependent or ward of the court care of a parent or guardian. Youth means you are 21 years of age
or younger or are still enrolled in high school. If you do not have a
> I am currently or I was a legally emancipated minor as determination that you are homeless or an unaccompanied youth who
determined by a court (released from control by my parent or is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless, contact
guardian) your financial aid office to explain your situation.

What should I bring to my appointment?

2021 – 2022 FAFSA: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 | 2019 Income | Fall 2021/Spring 2022/Summer 2022
2022 – 2023 FAFSA: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 | 2020 Income | Fall 2022/Spring 2023/Summer 2023
> Your (and your parents’, if dependent) social security card, picture ID, and permanent registration card (if applicable)
> Your (and your spouse’s, if married; or your parents’, if dependent) 2019 and/or 2020 1040 Federal Tax Return , W2s, and untaxed income
records (i.e., Social Security, Family Independence [FI], welfare, or veteran benefit records)
> Documentation of untaxed financial assistance (i.e., child support, in-kind support)
> Your (and your spouse’s, if married; or your parents’, if dependent) current balance of cash, savings, and checking accounts; net worth
of investments (including real estate); and net worth of current businesses or investment farms (do not include family business or farm
with 100 or fewer full-time employees)
> Completed FAFSA Pre-Application Worksheet (for parents of dependent students) located on EOC website or available for pick up in
EOC office

What is my FSA ID?

All students and parents of dependent students will be required to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID
(username and password). Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your federal student aid
information and electronically sign documents. Go to fsaid.ed.gov to set up or retrieve your
account information.

What information do students/parents need?

> Social security card
> A valid personal email address and/or a mobile phone number – The email address and/or mobile phone number may only be used
for one individual and should be accessible immediately. We advise you not to use a high school email account.

Please note: Students and/or parents who filed their income tax return are encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the
Financial Information section of the FAFSA. Users will need to authenticate their identity before any personal information is retrieved.
Disclaimer: Although the EOC staff is employed by Midlands Technical College, they do not recruit participants for the college. As an EOC participant, you can receive assistance in applying to
any college, university, technical and/or vocational training program. If you have a disability requiring special accommodations, please contact EOC.