FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

www.fafsa.ed.gov-
go to this website today.

The FAFSA is the first place every college-bound student should begin when looking for a way to pay for college. The FAFSA is very important. It helps schools decide how much financial aid they should offer you. Every year millions of high school seniors submit this form.

Listed below are the steps for the FAFSA process.

1. The FAFSA form will require you to collect information about your family’s:

• income tax return
• earnings and
• asset information (savings, checking account, etc.)

2. The Student Aid Report (SAR)

After submitted the FAFSA you will receive your SAR in four to six weeks. Schools will be using this form to determine how much financial aid to give you. So remember to check your SAR for accuracy!

3. Review your Financial Aid Packages

At some point you will have financial aid award letters from the schools you that have accepted you. Your financial package will include grant and loan offers.  After reviewing the offers, you can accept a specific offer by completing, signing, and returning the forms.

Important - Each school’s financial aid deadline is different.
So it is very important to be aware of the different deadlines.

Important Note: “College is expensive, so borrowing money for it can seem intimidating. It’s important to know, however, that higher education pays. Over their careers, college graduates earn *$1 million more than people with only a high school diploma.”  It’s perfectly clear….College is worth the cost!

*CollegeReady- A special publication for students and parents from Wachovia