The FAFSA Guideline
The First Step Towards Getting A Scholarship
If you need to file for federal student loan assistance (FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid), here is some vital information to be aware of:
The FAFSA Application
Period Begins
October 1st
There are many factors to keep in mind when it's time to apply for financial aid, including availability. The sooner you send your application, the more likely it will be that you will receive the funds you need.
The majority of colleges and universities have strict deadlines for financial aid requests (February being the cutoff for many of them). Make sure you're not filling out your application at the last minute.
You Will Receive a SAR (Student Aid Report)
Usually, you'll receive a SAR anywhere from three days to three weeks after submitting the FAFSA application. This report details information you submitted as well as your eligibility status. Double-check everything. If you need to make corrections on your FAFSA submission, make sure to do so immediately.
What You’ll Need
To Apply:
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Your Social Security Number and/or your parents’ Social Security Numbers.
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Alien Registration Number (Non U.S. Citizens).
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Your driver’s license number, if you have one.
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Your most recent federal income tax records, W-2s, or other records regarding money earned this year.
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If you’ve not filed an income tax return yet, you’ll fill in estimated tax information on the FAFSA form.
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If applicable, include bank statements and records.
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Create a FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID in order to sign electronically.