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The official government website provides a
simplified way to apply for financial aid.
Go to: www.fafsa.ed.gov and follow the three easy
steps.
Additional Tips For You:
If you are a senior in high school as of January 1,
2011, you will fill out the 2011-2012 FAFSA.
If you will be a high school senior on January 1,
2012, you will fill out the 2012-2013 FAFSA.
Additional financial aid is also available from each state.
You must begin with the Federal FAFSA form. Your high
school will have information on your state grant programs.
See below for individual state websites.
You can locate your state deadline from the FAFSA
website. It's located at the bottom of the home page.
The deadlines are different for the federal and state
forms. Also, pay attention to the correspondence you
receive from your colleges. Some colleges want you to
complete the FAFSA by February 1.
Note: The fafsa.ed.gov website will be unavailable
every Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. Eastern Time.
Only use the official FAFSA website at:
www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is FREE. Do not pay
for this form. If you are asked to pay a fee, you are
at the wrong website.
WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?
FINANCIAL AID consists of Grants, Loans and Work Study
GRANTS:
Pell Grants are need based for low income. Grants are a gift and
do not need to be paid back.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants SEOG
are for low income students.
LOANS:
Federal Perkins loans are low-intererest loans for undergraduate
and graduate students with exceptional financial need.
Subsidized Stafford Loans are available for students who meet
financial requirements and are attending at least half-time. The
government pays interest from when you get the loan money until
up to six months after you leave school.
Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available to any student
regardless of financial need but the student pays the interest.
Federal PLUS Loans are available for parents or stepparents who
need to borrow for their dependent child's undergraduate education.
WORK STUDY:
The Federal Work-Study Program will help students find a part-time
job on or off campus.
STATE GRANTS: Check with your high school for additional
information on grant programs in your state.
Alabama www.ache.state.al.us
Alaska www.alaskaadvantage.state.ak.us
Arizona www.azhighered.org
Arkansas www.arkansashighered.com
California www.csac.ca.gov
Colorado www.state.co.us/cche
Connecticut www.ctdhe.org
Delaware www.doe.state.de.us/high-ed
District of Columbia www.seo.dc.gov
Florida www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org
Georgia www.gsfc.org
Hawaii www.hawaii.edu/academics/admissions/aid.html
Idaho www.boardofed.idaho.gov/scholarships
Illinois www.collegezone.com
Indiana www.in.gov/ssaci
Iowa www.iowacollegeaid.org
Kansas www.kansasregents.org
Kentucky www.kheaa.com
Louisiana www.osfa.state.la.us
Maine www.famemaine.com
Maryland www.mhec.state.md.us
Massachusetts www.osfa.mass.edu
Michigan www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid
Minnesota www.ohe.state.mn.us
Mississippi www.ihl.state.ms.us
Missouri www.dhe.mo.gov
Montana www.oche.montana.edu
Nebraska www.ccpe.state.ne.us
Nevada www.doe.nv.gov
New Hampshire www.state.nh.us/postsecondary
New Jersey www.hessa.org
New Mexica www.hed.state.nm.us
New York www.hesc.org
North Carolina www.cfnc.org
North Dakota www.ndus.edu
Ohio www.regents.state.oh.us/sgs
Oklahoma www.okhighered.org
Oregon www.osac.state.or.us
Pennsylvania www.pheaa.org
Rhode Island www.riheaa.org
South Carolina www.che.sc.gov
South Dakota www.sdbor.edu
Tennessee www.state.tn.us/tsac
Texas www.collegefortexans.com
Utah www.utahsbr.edu
Vermont www.vsac.org
Virginia www.schev.edu
Washington www.hecb.wa.gov
West Virginia www.hepc.wvet.edu
Wisconsin www.heab.wisconsin.gov
Wyoming www.k12.wy.us
What is the Definition of Need?
The cost of attendance (COA) tuition, books, living expenses
minus the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) equals need.
IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO PRIVATE COLLEGES:
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
Some private colleges require this form to help them award private
grants and scholarship funds. The form is available on the web at:
www.collegeboard.org Click CSS/PROFILE under "Pay for
College" on the student's home page. The profile does have a fee.
You will need to provide information for the FAFSA from your
parent's 1040 tax return.
You do not need completed tax forms in order to fill out the FAFSA.
You will provide a revised FAFSA after your parents file a tax return.
Since funds are limited, it is important to submit the form early.
Many colleges want the information by February 1 or even in
January. You may apply for financial aid after January 1.
You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) about 3 weeks if you file
electronically.
FAFSA4Caster Worksheet is available now at:
www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
You can fill out this worksheet to get an idea of the amount of aid
you might receive. After January 1, you can transfer the information
from the worksheet to the FAFSA.
How Can I Add Additional Colleges To My FAFSA?
Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and look under Step 3
FEE WAIVERS FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Students with family financial hardship may apply for up to four fee
waivers for college applications. Fee waivers are also available tor
SAT tests. Students should check with their high school counselor
for the form. Information is also available at:
www.collegeboard.com and at the National Association for
College Admission Counseling website at: www.nacac.org.
What Do I Do If I have Questions and Need Some
Help?
Attend Financial Aid Night programs at your high school or in your
community.
For FAFSA questions, call: 1-800-433-3243
Go to the web site at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Material To Help Understand the Process:
Your high school should receive many helpful free financial aid
booklets for students and parents in the fall. If not, check the web
site for these materials at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
You may also find some financial aid materials at your local library
or at a local college.
Advice on How to Apply for Financial Aid for College