The FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – is
the form used by students and their parents to apply for educational
assistance from the U.S. Government, including grants, loans, and work-study programs.
Many states and
private institutions also award aid on the basis of the FAFSA. Even students who
know they do not qualify for federal assistance are
often advised to fill out a FAFSA because it can help
them receive the state and private assistance they are
eligible for.
The FAFSA is available in print and
online formats. Printed applications are available from
high schools and college and university financial aid
offices. The online form is available through the
official FAFSA website,
www.fafsa.ed.gov.
At first glance, a FAFSA might look
overwhelmingly complex. Relax! Although it is a long
and rather detailed form, it's not difficult to complete
if you gather the information you'll need beforehand and
take the process step by step.
Follow our tips to make the process go
more smoothly:
1) Start early. You won't be able to
submit a FAFSA until January 1, but you can get a head
start by organizing the information you'll need. The
sooner you complete your FAFSA, the better your chances
are of maximizing the amount of aid you'll receive.
(Many schools award student aid on a first-come,
first-served basis and may not have enough money to give
late applicants full funding.)
2) Check deadlines. States and schools
often have earlier financial aid application deadlines
than the federal government does. Some state deadlines
fall as early as March 1. Make sure you understand which
deadlines you need to meet.
3) Apply for a PIN if you'll be
completing the FAFSA online. A FAFSA PIN (personal
identification number) will allow you to sign and submit
your application electronically, which speeds up
the review process. You'll
also be able to use it to save and edit your application online.
To get a PIN, go to
www.pin.ed.gov. The number will be emailed to you in
approximately 3 days. (If your parents are signing your
FAFSA, they will need to apply for their own PIN
numbers.)
4) Gather the information and
documents you'll need to complete the FAFSA. Click
here to see a list.
5) Download a FAFSA worksheet
from the official FAFSA website and fill it out before
you begin the actual form.
6) Make sure you're using the right
website if you're completing the FAFSA online. As
its name implies, the FAFSA is free. If you're being
asked to pay something to prepare or submit a FAFSA,
you've gone to the wrong website.
The
AdmissionsConsultants Advantage ensures that you will
maximize your admissions prospects. Take the next step
toward a brighter future. Call us today at +1 703.242.5885 or
email us to get
started!
Back to College Features
|
