What is FAFSA?
A Brief Description on Exactly What FAFSA Is, and How it Can Benefit You
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a form that every incoming freshman should fill out before entering college and also must be filled out annually by every student. FAFSA helps determines a student's eligibility for federal student financial aid. This ranges from grants (Pell Grants), loans (Stafford and PLUS), and work study programs. You will even need to fill out a FAFSA if you are receiving non-federal financial aid (such as from your school or from a private sponsor)!
FAFSA is a form that requires students (and their parents) to submit their financial information to help determine whether they are eligible for government financial aid. I have filled this form out 3 times already, and it really doesn't take that long. I really think that every student should fill this form out, regardless of their financial situation. I've know people who have received thousands of dollars towards their education even when they were well off financially!
FAFSA generally grants money based on the parent's financial situation. They also offer interest free (or very low rates) to students that want the option.
Some Things You Will Need:
-Your Parent's Financial Information. This can be done by viewing your parent's tax information (a 1040, the standard tax form).
-You Should Apply for a PIN number at the FAFSA website (www.fafsa.ed.gov). You will need one for both yourself and parent. I recommend that you apply for it since it'll just speed the process up. It takes a day or two for you to receive it via E-Mail.
-You must have your desired school's code. This can be found on the FAFSA website.
-Fill out the FAFSA for EVERY YEAR (not just as incoming freshmen) and the deadline to complete the form is June 30th, 2009. Keep in mind that the State deadlines are before this date, so go to www.fafsa.ed.gov/before003a.htm to determine you state's deadlines!
Once again, it's important that you fill out this form regardless of your financial situation. In order to receive any form of aid (from anywhere) you will need to fill this form out!
Source(s):
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 06 Feb. 2009 .
Published by Super Duper
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