You might be wondering why filling out the FAFSA is so important, especially considering that, at first glance, it looks intimidatingly long and complicated. You will need to set up a username and password that will give you access to US Department of Education websites. Have all of these documents on hand before sitting down to fill out the application:. You will need to gather this information for both you and your parents if you are a dependent student, or for you and your spouse, if you are married.
If you are single and cannot be claimed as a dependent your will only need your information for each item listed above. You will do this by going to www. As long as you prepare yourself beforehand, you should have no issues filling out the application.
Collect the appropriate documentation and have the list of schools you want to send your FAFSA to before starting the application. Department of Education evaluate your financial need, and determine how much financial support you require. The FAFSA helps determine not only what aid you qualify for, but your expected family contribution toward the cost of your education, which will vary by school. Here are a few to keep in mind:. All U. Some financial aid offices at universities will even ask international students to apply, as the FAFSA can help them evaluate whether these students are eligible for institutional aid.
FAFSA open date and deadline. Academic year. FAFSA open date. June 30, Need-to-Knows for College Grads. Next steps. On a similar note Dive even deeper in Student Loans. Explore Student Loans. Spot your saving opportunities. See your spending breakdown to show your top spending trends and where you can cut back.
Each school has its own form available from the financial aid office. Reyna Gobel, M. Her CliffsNotes books on repaying student loans and paying for college were picked as book of the month by Michelle Singletary in The Washington Post three times.
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Institutional deadlines vary from school to school but typically come well before federal deadlines. Some colleges, on the other hand, offer financial aid on a rolling basis, meaning the earlier you apply, the better your chance of receiving a sizable award package.
If you're considering multiple colleges , check each school's FAFSA deadline if it has one and apply by the earliest deadline. Most colleges list this information on their financial aid site. These dates are usually early in the spring semester, but that doesn't mean you should wait until then to submit your application. Many states have limited funds and only offer grants, scholarships, and other types of aid until they run out. This is especially the case for states with deadlines that are "as soon as possible after October 1.
The stimulus package passed in December included several major student aid provisions , which will take effect during the FAFSA cycle.
The legislation is designed to make higher education more accessible and affordable for underrepresented students and students of color. Here are some of the key changes to look out for. Over the last decade, advocates of FAFSA simplification have made strong efforts to reduce the number of questions required to complete the application. The FAFSA currently contains questions, which many have argued deter students and families from completing the application and receiving the aid for which they qualify.
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