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How to Apply for Aid

Next: Loan Consolidation and Repayment

Federal Aid: Am I eligible?

The Department of Education uses the information provided on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for aid from the Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs. Many states and schools also use the FAFSA to award aid from their programs. Some states and schools may require you to fill out additional forms. Some of the requirements to receive aid from FSA programs are that you must:  

 

  • Be a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States with a valid Social Security Number;
  • Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate or pass an approved "ability to benefit" test;
  • Enroll in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate;
  • Register (or have registered) for Selective Service, if you are a male between the ages of 18-25; and
  • Have a result of Eligible or Partially Eligible on the Drug Conviction question (Question 35).

(Note: answering 'No' to this question (having been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs) does not mean your status will never change in the case of subsequent convictions. If your status changes, please notify the financial aid administrator at your school.)

Federal Aid: Required Documents

You will need records of income earned in the year prior to when you will start school. You may also need records of your parent's income information if you are a dependent student.

 

For the upcoming school year, you will always need financial information from the previous year. You will need to refer to:

  • Your Social Security Number (can be found on Social Security card)
  • Your driver's license (if any)
  • Your W-2 Forms and other records of money earned
  • Your (and your spouse's, if you are married) Federal Income Tax Return - IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040Telefile, foreign tax return, or tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia
  • Your parent's Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
  • Your untaxed income records - Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veterans benefits records
  • Your bank statements
  • Your business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records
  • Your alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

 

Federal Aid: Application Deadlines

The following information is from the FAFSA website. 

The 2009-2010 School Year (July 1st, 2009 - June 30th, 2010):

  • FAFSA on the Web applications must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight time, June 30, 2010.
  • Corrections on the Web forms must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight time, September 15, 2010.
  • Note: Your school must have your complete and correct information by your last day of enrollment in the 2009-2010 school year.

Pay close attention to deadlines! Ask your school about their definition of an application deadline - whether it is the receipt date and time or the process date and time of the application.

Federal Student Aid considers a FAFSA’s receipt date and time to be when the FAFSA/correction is submitted successfully.

TIP: When you submit your FAFSA, be sure to print out the confirmation page and keep it for your records. It contains a confirmation number with the exact date and time (Central Standard Time) the form was received.

Note: Transactions must be completed and accepted by midnight to meet the deadline. If you wait too long to submit your application and it is rejected, you may miss your school’s deadline.

Federal Aid: Obtaining your PIN

Your PIN can be used each year to electronically apply for federal student aid and to access your Federal Student Aid records online. If you receive a PIN, you agree not to share it with anyone. Your PIN serves as your electronic signature and provides access to your personal records, so you should never give your PIN to anyone, including commercial services that offer to help you complete your FAFSA. Be sure to keep your PIN in a safe place.

Apply for your PIN

Federal Aid: Online Application

Now that you have gathered the necessary information, proceed to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The application is also available in Spanish (PDF).

Scholarships & Grants

There are numerous financial resources for college outside of the Federal Government. Start searching for some here:

Also:

  • If you have a specific school in mind, contact their Admissions Office and inquire about school-based scholarships.
  • Many local agencies, community organizations, and places of worship sponsor scholarships for deserving students.