Fafsa Application Process
he Application Process
How do you apply for financial aid? You just file the FAFSA. Say what? The FAFSA--The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This remarkable document, which is used for institutional and state financial aid programs in addition to the federal programs, becomes available late in the calendar year in high-school guidance counselor offices and university financial aid offices all across the country. March 1 is the filing deadline at many selective colleges, but some colleges may want the form even earlier. Some may let you file it later. So get the form in January and carefully review college application materials to determine colleges' application deadlines. Completing this form will allow you to have your financial information sent to up to six colleges and universities. It allows you to be considered for all of the federal financial aid that institution awards. Many colleges, universities, state scholarship agencies and other scholarship organizations also use it for their own financial aid. So it's a good deal.
It's also a pain to complete. Most parents prefer to have their tax forms handy when they complete it, ALTHOUGH THAT IS NOT REQUIRED. You can estimate the parental income, or you can do
Sounds simple, huh? Well, the schedule doesn't accommodate delays. This data is run through the federal servicer's computers in early March, the college's computers in early April, and then appears on the financial aid offer letters in mid-April. Students must make their admissions deposits by May 1. This schedule allows no time for colleges and universities to write back and help you correct errors. Why should it matter whether or not you use a pencil or a pen? It matters because this is a complex financial aid delivery system that serves over 6 million students, but it sure works better for those who take a little extra time and care to follow the instructions.
Some colleges or scholarship programs may want other forms. Many institutions want you to complete and submit a Financial Aid Form (FAF) along A,vith the FAFSA. This form requests additional information that colleges need to award their own funds. If the college or university imants this form, it will tell you in its instructions. Use the same care in completing this form that you used with the FAFSA.
Make copies of everything you send off! This is important for two reasons:
1. You have to fill out these forms every year the student wants financial aid, so having last year's form will help you next year; and
2. Sometimes the various processors, colleges and awarding agencies lose the forms. Should that happen, you may need to send in your copies.
How do you apply for financial aid? You just file the FAFSA. Say what? The FAFSA--The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This remarkable document, which is used for institutional and state financial aid programs in addition to the federal programs, becomes available late in the calendar year in high-school guidance counselor offices and university financial aid offices all across the country. March 1 is the filing deadline at many selective colleges, but some colleges may want the form even earlier. Some may let you file it later. So get the form in January and carefully review college application materials to determine colleges' application deadlines. Completing this form will allow you to have your financial information sent to up to six colleges and universities. It allows you to be considered for all of the federal financial aid that institution awards. Many colleges, universities, state scholarship agencies and other scholarship organizations also use it for their own financial aid. So it's a good deal.
It's also a pain to complete. Most parents prefer to have their tax forms handy when they complete it, ALTHOUGH THAT IS NOT REQUIRED. You can estimate the parental income, or you can do
Sounds simple, huh? Well, the schedule doesn't accommodate delays. This data is run through the federal servicer's computers in early March, the college's computers in early April, and then appears on the financial aid offer letters in mid-April. Students must make their admissions deposits by May 1. This schedule allows no time for colleges and universities to write back and help you correct errors. Why should it matter whether or not you use a pencil or a pen? It matters because this is a complex financial aid delivery system that serves over 6 million students, but it sure works better for those who take a little extra time and care to follow the instructions.
Some colleges or scholarship programs may want other forms. Many institutions want you to complete and submit a Financial Aid Form (FAF) along A,vith the FAFSA. This form requests additional information that colleges need to award their own funds. If the college or university imants this form, it will tell you in its instructions. Use the same care in completing this form that you used with the FAFSA.
Make copies of everything you send off! This is important for two reasons:
1. You have to fill out these forms every year the student wants financial aid, so having last year's form will help you next year; and
2. Sometimes the various processors, colleges and awarding agencies lose the forms. Should that happen, you may need to send in your copies.
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