It All Starts Here: the FAFSAIf you want money to help pay for college, first you have to “get in the game” by filing the proper financial aid forms. Don’t leave money on the table by not applying for it. The FAFSA is the way to apply for college grants, scholarship money, and/or loans that are issued by the federal government. Most state education agencies and schools use the information from the FAFSA to determine eligibility for state and institutional aid.

What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You must file a FAFSA for the academic year during which you plan to attend school. In addition to determining whether you are eligible for federal student aid, the FAFSA also serves as your application for grants from your state. You and your family will be expected to make some kind of contribution to your costs for college. How much is determined by filling out the FAFSA.

Various Financial Aid Deadlines
Financial aid deadlines vary from state to state and from school to school. It’s important to be organized and focused. Your school counselor, your parent or other adult could be instrumental in helping you keep on track with various due dates in the financial aid process.

Download the FAFSA Worksheet
You will need to gather a number of documents about your family’s financial situation in order to complete the FAFSA. They include W-2 forms and tax returns, along with other documents related to family income. The FAFSA can be completed and filed online, by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Several weeks later, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that lets you know what your Expected Family Contribution is supposed to be, and how much federal student aid you can expect to receive. That information is also sent to any colleges you list on the form.

Getting Help and Support
There is help available to complete the financial aid forms you need to fill out. Fill out the FAFSA worksheet as much as you can. If you need help, a school counselor or local program can provide you with one-on-one assistance. You can also call the Federal Student Aid Information Center, toll-free, 1-800-4-FED-AID.