1. GET A PIN
Apply for your PIN at pin.ed.gov.
Both you and your parents will need a PIN in order to e-sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the form required in order to be considered for federal financial aid at every school in the country. You will use this same PIN to make any corrections and to reapply each year-so keep it in a safe place! 2. KNOW YOUR DEADLINES
Check financial aid application deadlines at all of your target schools. Also find out the deadlines for applying for state aid. This is huge! Schools and states have different deadlines, some of which start as early as mid-February. Others may not be until April or later. If you miss a deadline, you will likely miss out on free money! 3. APPLY FOR FREE MONEY
Research and apply for local and other scholarships. The majority of outside scholarships that students receive are from local organizations. But don't count yourself out of the big national competitions just because you think there is too much competition. Often times, even national scholarships don't get a huge number of applicants-especially if an essay is required. Take the time to write the essay. your chances might be greater than you think! And don't not apply for a scholarship because you think the prize isn't big enough. Every dollar helps, and they add up quickly! 4. FINISH THE FAFSA
Complete the FAFSA as sooon after January 1 as possible. Completingit online is the most efficient way because it's designed to only ask the questions that apply to you. If your parents don't complete their taxes until April, don't wait until then to complete the FAFSA! Use estimated numbers, such as year-to-date figures on their December pay stubs and bank statements. Rembember that your financial aid award is only as accurate as the numbers provided on the FAFSA... so no pulling them out of thin air! 5. GET EVERYTHING READY
Have all the necessary information at your fingertips when completing the FAFSA. Read the instructions for each of the questions, and answer only what they ask. The form will actually tell you what lines of the tax form to use to answer different questions. Don't overthing it. | 6. FILL OUT THE OTHER FORMS
Ask your college if any additional forms are required. In general, private schools require more forms than public schools. Be sure to check with your target schools early so you can submit everything by their deadlines. 7. FOLLOW UP
Know how your schools will contact you. How will they let you know if your application is incomplete or if your award letter is ready? Will they send you a paper letter? Will they e-mail you with a link to a asecure site? Do you have a login and password to a site that you are expected to check regularly? It is important to be aware of their process so that you don't miss anything. 8. BE PREPARED TO VERIFY
Some FAFSAs are selected for verification by the Department of Education. If you are selected, you will be notified on your Student Aid Report or SAR (the results of the FAFSA), and your school will contact you as well. You may be required to submit signed tax forms that the school will use to verify the information you entered on the FASFA. If the information doesn't match, your financial aid award may change. Some applications are selected because the information submitted is suspect; others are choen at random. 9. MAKE A FRIEND IN THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
Get to know your financial aid officer. They are there to help you through this process. Many will do everything in their power to make it possible for you to attend their school0but they have a limited supply of money and strict federal regulations to follow. Unfortunately, very few students get a "free ride," so it's best not to go into your college seach expecting one. By following these steps, you can simplify the process and ensure that you get the best financial aid package possible. |
