FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid
For the class of 2017, you can start applying as early as October 1, 2016. The key to financial aid application in general, is to not wait until the last minute. Send your financial information to all schools you are considering. You can then compare awards and see how that can help you determine where you will be going.
Financial Aid
To receive financial aid you MUST complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and there are different types of financial aid students may or may not qualify for. Studentaid.ed.gov is a good website to explore for your financial aid questions. Please keep in mind filling out FAFSA will NOT instantly qualify you for scholarships. Additional searching and applications are required for the millions of scholarships that are out there!
Types of Financial Aid
Filling out the FAFSA:
This should be done as soon after October 1st of your senior year of high school as possible. FAFSA on the Web (the online FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov) will guide you through the application; click on the “Start A New FAFSA” button on the home page, and just follow the directions on the screen.
What You'll Need:
Types of Financial Aid
- Scholarships- gift, usually not need-based
- Grants- gift, usually need based
- Loans- must be repaid
- Work-Study- guaranteed work on campus for wages
Filling out the FAFSA:
This should be done as soon after October 1st of your senior year of high school as possible. FAFSA on the Web (the online FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov) will guide you through the application; click on the “Start A New FAFSA” button on the home page, and just follow the directions on the screen.
What You'll Need:
- FSA ID - this replaces the Federal Student Aid PIN that was used for security in the past. The FSA ID is a username and password that is needed to be able to log in to certain US Dept of Ed websites and allows you to electronically sign the FAFSA.
- Personal information such as social security numbers, birth dates, driver's license numbers, etc...
- Federal tax information such as W-2s and tax returns for both you and your parents