FAFSA,
A Quick Look

FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA provides more than $150 Billion in student aid in the form of grants, loans, and work study options.

Beginning in 2016, you can begin submitting your request for aid on October 1st, using what is called your 'prior prior year' income data.

What the government means by 'prior prior year' is that if your child is planning on attending college in the Fall of 2020 (2020-2021 school year), you can file FAFSA on October 1st 2019, using 2019 income data.

October 1st is the federal deadline.

There is  a different date to file to be eligible for state funded aid as well. Please check with your state's deadline by clicking here.

Many states have separate grants and scholarships that students are eligible for based on the FAFSA application eligibility.

The sooner you apply, the better your chances of receiving grants or work study opportunities.

This loan application process is necessary for every student, and/or parent of every student, to find the finances to fund your child's higher education.

There are numerous options of private student loan applications but there is only one federal application to be filled out.

The federal application helps to determine how much in aid you and your child are eligible to receive with regards to grants, loans, and the option to enroll in federal work study programs.

Not only does this application provide for federal based funding, many schools use this application to determine need-based scholarship programs, special incentives, workshops, and other grant eligibility.

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THE FAFSA APPLICATION IS THE KEY TO UNLOCKING MANY OF THE FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

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Many colleges, schools, and states have their own programs and utilize this form to qualify students. Some private funded scholarships even take into consideration financial aid eligibility when awarding funds.

UNLESS YOU HAVE NO INTENTION ON ACEPTING AID FROM ANY OUTSIDE OR GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION, FILLING OUT THIS APPLICATION IS ESSENTIAL TO OBTAINING RESOURCES.

To complete the form, you and your child will need their...

• Social Security number
• Driver's license
• Parent's investment and banking information
• Number of dependents
• Recent tax returns (the FAFSA website has the ability to transfer information from the IRS)...scary, I know!

Don’t worry if you’ve missed that date. You can still file up until the deadline. Just remember it for next year.

Don’t forget the dates for state aid! 

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