For this Bureaucracy Project my partner Taylor Tomasco and I were assigned to create a flow chart on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA). This process involved researching all of the documents needed to complete the FAFSA process. Although we as students cannot complete the FAFSA until January 1st, this flow chart will assist all students preparing to enter into college. This flow chart shows the documents needed, the actual FAFSA form from last year, so that students could get an idea of what the form looks like on paper or online.

We referred to the FAQ, on the FAFSA website to know what information we needed to add to our flowchart, so that no information was misleading. We also printed out the tax forms a student would need, or that their parents would need when filling out this form. We created an alias name and identity to go along with the forms, so that a replica of the forms could be easier to understand; henceforth what information goes where. Filling out this information was a little difficult, because all the information on each page had to make sense.

If we were to change one thing about this Bureaucratic Project, then it would be to document what actually goes into filling this form out; the process, papers, time, and effort with accuracy.

This process has become so complicated in the past decades is because many people attempt to steal others identities so that they could receive a free education. Although there is a limited amount of money, people attempt to use another persons identity to receive the most benefits.

Link to Flow Chart:

https://www.scienceleadership.org/sections/American_Government_-_Laufenberg:2

In American Government, we were given a task to pick a bureaucracy and make a flow chart on the steps of that bureaucracy. The partner I picked was Beth and we decided on doing the steps to obtaining a building permit in Philadelphia. 

We picked this topic without knowing what we were getting ourselves into and didn't know even one step of obtaining a building permit in Philadelphia. The first thing we did was head to google and googled, "building permit in Philadelphia" and came across this site, 100k house, that told us the steps of obtaining a building permit and what each paper/form that needed to be filled out, meant. Then we headed to Philadelphia L&I site to obtain the application and started to fill it out the best way we knew how to.

The paperwork that we had to fill out was very confusing. The paper work needed to be filled out by other people and you have had to contact these people before starting the application. Then you also had to fill out papers like, Zoning permit application, structural design criteria, energy conservation, and more. Most of these paperwork had to be filled out by a hired engineer/architect firm and a lot of contacting.

I don't think I would change anything because even though these steps are so complicated and has a lot of steps, it's made for safety. The city has to be on par with what you are doing because one wrong step/move, someone who wasn't involved, will get hurt.

Flowchart link: http://www.lucidchart.com/documents/edit/4d08c727-33f0-41dc-ab32-7f0f0afcbe04

Block Party: Throwing a block party on a South Philadelphia street.

Over View: Obtain 52 signatures, pay between 10-45 dollars, declare the event, Choose the time, and choose the date. 

Paper work: Our paper work was straight forward. It listed everything you needed and was only 2 pages long.

Change: I would not change a thing about our flowchart, it flows perfectly and is 100% accurate.

Complication: I would say the larger system gas become so complicated because of the many smaller systems that have popped up to only add to the already intricate larger system. 

1. Briefly summarize the bureaucratic 'task' that you selected.

2. Give an overview of your process.

3. Reflect upon the paperwork that you needed to fill out. Was it straightforward, easy, difficult, perplexing, etc.

4. If you could change one thing about the bureaucratic process that you flow charted, what would it be and why?

5. Why do you think the systems have become so complicated?

I think this system has become so complicated because there are a lot of requirements to meet.

6. Other thoughts, reflections, feedback.                                      I thought it was a little bit ridiculous that if somebody had a tattoo on their face or a scar somewhere on there body that they were not qualified to be a Marine.

Published link to flowchart: https://www.lucidchart.com/documents/view/4d08c4ed-3fd8-4682-99e3-7f590afcbe04

A snapshot of our Prezi presentation (flow chart) that shows the process of getting divorce.

1. Find out if you are eligible
2. Fill out ds165 form
3. Wait for visa with your visa number

We did the legal possession of firearms. And for the you first need the application. Fill out and be honest on it. Then hand it in with the fee of $25 and take the interview.

What we had to do was pick a topic so we choose the legal carrying of firearm. After that we looked up the specifications for possessing said firearm. Downloaded the application and signed it. then finally made the flow chart with all the specifications.

It was very straight for ward nothing was much of a hassle.

Nothing really i personally like how we did it and how it is set up.

It became this way so people with mental disorders, criminal records, and drug problems could not apply.

The bureaucratic "task" we selected was legally obtaining a gun license  in the state of Pennsylvania.  It is the process of going through the Gun Unit Personnel to obtain a license to rightfully own and operate a gun.  

The first thing we did was research information on the process of obtaining a gun in different states and how they were different.  Afterwards, we dived into the web to find out the exact process off getting a license.  

The paper work to that I needed to fill out was quick and basic. it was more or less a page worth of questions about myself such as "have you ever been arrested, used drugs, drink often or been in a mental institution. 

If i could have changed on think about the process, i would have changed the length it took. it seemed to not take enough time to get the license.  Theres a lot of other information that could have been asked about such as does your family have a history with guns or such?

I feel the system needs to be be complicated so that everyone cant just get what they need. If everyone could just apply for such things it would make the system too easy to get around.