The Student Guide Financial Aid From The U S Department Of Education

Every year, more than 20 million students and parents file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the gateway to federal, state and school financial aid. Families often worry about making costly mistakes, but this step-by-step guide provides expert advice and insights to: · Maximize eligibility for student aid · Avoid common errors · Complete the form quickly, easily and accurately Praise for Filing the FAFSA: I found Filing the FAFSA to be an up-to-the-minute, accessible and readable resource for those with a keen interest in the current federal application for student financial aid. –Nancy Coolidge, Office of the President, University of California Families need a guide that breaks down the application form into logical sections. Filing the FAFSA is an important tool in removing some of the mystery surrounding the financial aid process. –Verna Hazen, Assistant Vice President and Director, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Rochester Institute of Technology With the plethora of information on the subject of completing college financial applications, it’s reassuring to find a guide that students, parents and even guidance counselors can look to for useful and accurate information. –Carlos Adrian, Associate Director, Financial Aid Compliance, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs, Syracuse University As a long-time financial aid professional, I am always looking for helpful tools to assist families in understanding the sometimes overwhelming process of applying for student financial aid for college. Filing the FAFSA is a tool that successfully combines the presentation of detailed information with easy to follow flow charts and summary boxes to guide families through the application process. It is filled with helpful hints and is a valuable resource for families navigating the complicated world of financial aid. –Diane Stemper, Executive Director, Office of Enrollment Services, Student Financial Aid, Ohio State University

This section is a quick reference to federal student aid programs from the office of Federal Student Aid at the U.S. Department of Education. The rest of the publication provides more details on what you need to know as you go through the federal student aid process. Who gets federal student aid? Every student, who meets certain eligibility requirements, can get some type of financial aid regardless of age or family income. What is federal student aid? It's financial aid from the federal government to help you pay for education expenses at an eligible college, technical school, vocational school, or graduate school. There are three categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study, and loans. What is the FAFSA? It's the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSASM), which you need to complete to receive federal student aid. How do I apply for aid? Complete the FAFSA, online or in print. The simplified online application is available at www.fafsa.gov. When do I complete the FAFSA? Apply as soon as possible after Jan. 1 of the year you plan on attending college. How much aid is available? More than $150 billion of aid is available every year to students to help cover tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and other education-related expenses.