Frequently Asked Questions

How does Need Access work?

1. Schools instruct Access Group what financial data they want collected from their applicants.
2. The Need Access Application directs you (the applicant) to select the school(s) where data should be sent. The questions that appear depend upon the school(s) selected.
3. Access Group processes your Need Access Application and transmits your financial data to the school(s) selected.
4. Financial aid administrators at the selected school(s) assess the data and determine your eligibility for institutional funding.

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I'm an independent student. Why am I required to fill in my parents' financial information?

If you have selected a school that requires parent information, you will be asked to provide your parents' financial information on the Need Access Application. Your school requires this information to better determine eligibility for institutional funds. 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.

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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 in the application.

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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.

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If I forget the password(s) for my Need Access Application, can it (they) be retrieved?

You can retrieve your password by supplying the correct answer to the hint question you selected when you set the password. Click on "My Applications" and enter the Access ID and date of birth of the applicant. Select the form you would like to access and you will be asked for your password. Here, click "Forgot Your Password?" and supply the answer to your hint question. If you are unable to answer your hint question, please contact Access Group at 800-282-1550, M-F 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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How do I change my password or password recovery e-mail address?

If you want to change your password or password recovery e-mail address, click on "My Applications." From the Main Menu, select your application and the password page appears. Enter your current password and click in the link below to delete the current password. You will then be prompted to enter a new password and password recovery e-mail address.

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How do I request a temporary password to replace a forgotten password?

If you cannot remember your password and you can't remember the answer to your password recovery question, click on "My Applications." From the Main Menu, select your application and the password page appears. Click in the section below to request a temporary password. A temporary password will be e-mailed to you using the e-mail address you supplied when you originally entered your password. You will then be able to use this temporary password to regain access to your information and establish a new password.

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Can I add another school after I've sent my information to Access Group?

If you need to complete a Need Access Application for additional schools after you've submitted your information to Access Group, click on "My Applications" then select the application year. You will be prompted for the Access ID and date of birth of the applicant. Select the "School Selection" link and add more schools to the list. Please check the application carefully. You may be required to answer additional questions. (Certain schools require more information than others. Please complete all the questions required for each school you've selected). IMPORTANT: You must submit the application again by choosing "Submit Application," or the additional schools won't receive your information.

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What is the deadline to process my Need Access application?

You will need to contact your school(s) to obtain the deadline for your Need Access Application. Access Group is now accepting 2008-2009 Need Access Applications. Processing of these applications will begin January 2, 2008; we will continue to accept 2008-2009 applications through June 30, 2009.

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How do I know if schools have received my application?

Applications are processed and available for schools within 24 business hours. You can check your application status by clicking "My Applications" then select "My Account." You will be transferred to Access Group's Web site where you will need to create a new User ID and password if you do not already have one on this site.

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How do I make updates or corrections to my application?

On the Need Access homepage, click on "My Applications," select the application year you would like to update, and login using your Access ID and applicant's date of birth. Select the form you would like to update and enter the password. Please check the application carefully. (Certain schools require more information than others. Please complete all the questions required for each school you've selected). IMPORTANT NOTE: You must resubmit the application by returning to Main Menu and clicking "Submit Application" to ensure your information is receive by your selected school(s).

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How can I get a copy of the application for my records?

On the Need Access homepage, click on "My Applications," select the application year you would like to print, and login using your Access ID and applicant's date of birth. On the main menu there is a section called "Print Application Data." Select a form and you will be prompted for your password. You will be presented with all the data you have completed. Use your browser print function or click on the "Print" icon.

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Can my Need Access Application be submitted in paper form?

No. 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.

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How do I reapply?

On the NeedAccess homepage, click on "Apply Now," select the new application year, and login using your Access ID and applicant's date of birth. Based on this login data, we will recognize that you are a returning applicant and we will pre-populate many of the fields from your previous application. This will greatly reduce your time in completing this application. Be sure to review the data carefully to ensure that you update any fields with new information.

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Is my data secure?

We have put in place multiple systems and practices to protect our systems and data. Our Web sites, servers and network appliances conform to ISO 27002 (formerly 17799) standards. In addition to our state-of-the-art intrusion detection systems, we have a trained incident response team and have established thorough procedures to deal with computer and data security incidents, which are tested regularly by internal and external audits.

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Additional questions?

Call us toll-free at 800-282-1550, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET, or e-mail us at NeedAccess@accessgroup.org with your Need Access questions.

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