The FAFSA, or Free Applicaton
for Federal Student Aid, is the first step in the financial
aid process. By completing this application form, you will
be matched with aid programs that you qualify for.
There are overall federal deadlines for each school year.
However, each school has a priority deadline for fianancial
aid, so it is best to get the application in before this date.
If you can complete the FAFSA for the following school year
as soon as your (and your parents if you are a dependent)
federal income tax is done for the previous year your application
will be in early.
The FAFSA online application will ask income history and
other important information. After submitting the application,
it will be processed by the Department of Education. Once
they have determinded what aid you qualify for, you will be
sent a Student Aid Report (SAR). An electronic copy of your
SAR is also made available to the schools you've listed on
your FAFSA.
Your SAR will list what types of aid you qualify for, including
federal and state grants, such as the pell grant, stafford
loans, and parent loans.
If you were awarded student loans or parent loans, you will
then complete the application process for the specific type
of loan you qualified for. Generally the funds are transferred
to the college, and you will receive a disbursement during
registration if your awards were above the cost of tuition
and fees.
Go to the FAFSA website
