FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid $ FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid

What is FAFSA? The FAFSA is an application used to calculate government aid to students to minimize the price of college. It’s the most crucial step in obtaining federal aid in either grants or loans. Once completed, it will tell you how much grant money is available to you and send this info to the schools you choose.

Requirements No cost required Computer with an up-to-date browser Federal Student Aid (FSA) I.D. Separate website Must create an account for you; a parent/guardian must also create one IRS Information Fill out ahead of time and or send a tax transcript 30-60 minutes The computer requirement thing is kind of a pain in the butt (not sure about school computers) It may take more than an hour if you’re not familiar with it, but you are able to save information as you go along Mine took around 30 minutes after my dad filled in the IRS stuff

Important Tips Read thoroughly and pay close attention to detail (i.e. mother’s/father’s highest education level) Watch tutorials if you’re unsure Don’t make guesses or put in false info to save time Save info as you go along Best to get it done ASAP If your parent didn’t complete This is a big one, because, say you’re on the section where you list how much money you currently have and you don’t know your bank statement, can alter how much money you get

After Applying Statement via mail or email with federal aid package Colleges you list on the application will be sent a copy of your FAFSA info The financial aid office of each school then uses it to find out how much money you can receive at that school They’ll contact you for verification and you’ll have to provide them with documentation Different from a school-calculated one; with schools they may have different standards and more specialized scholarship (ie NV promise) To show them you filled out the FAFSA correctly

*Resources FAFSA Demo System https://fafsademo.test.ed.gov/ Practice round for the real FAFSA Username: eddemo Password: fafsatest CFPB: Comparing Aid from different schools https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/?_ga=2.154278840.1013244807.1511155991-1961764614.1510881069 FAFSA Overview Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUis5lityCQ 12 Trickiest Questions http://time.com/money/4162717/fafsa-answer-guide/ Completing the FAFSA Works like a regular FAFSA application; none of the info is saved or entered Completing the FAFSA is really long but it has basically everything (index)

Submitting Times 2016 2017 Oct. 1, 2017 Oct. 1, 2018 June 30, 2019 2018-2019 2019-2020 Year for Tax Returns/Income 2016 2017 Opening Oct. 1, 2017 Oct. 1, 2018 Due Date Close June 30, 2019 June 30, 2020

June 30, 2019 Deadline for federal aid applications for seniors going straight to college this year