Why you need to know about the FAFSA
Federal Student Aid/FAFSA
As a high school athlete many of you are trying to find scholarships that will allow you to attend college at a lower price. One of the important steps in the months approaching colleges is making sure you fill out the FAFSA.
What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a form that begins the process for you to receive any type of federal student aid in the form of grants, loans and work-study. If you are considering applying for financial aid you will want to make sure that you put all the documents together that you will need. This includes your Social Security Number, driver’s license, bank statements, income tax returns and investment records (if you are classified as a dependent for tax purposes you will also need similar information from your parents/guardians).
For more detailed information on the FAFSA, please go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Here are a couple of steps and deadlines taken from the FAFSA website you don’t want you to forget.
Federal Student Aid FAFSA Process
1.) Before beginning a FAFSA: Get organized. To simplify the application process, gather required documents and other information ahead of time
2.) Filling out a FAFSA: Fill out the application. The FAFSA has seven steps that ask about you, your financial information, your school plans, and more.
2007-2008 FAFSA on the Web Applications by midnight Central Daylight time, June 30, 2008
2008-2009 FAFSA on the Web Applications by midnight Central Daylight time, June 30, 2009
*This deadline is for the FAFSA, each state and school may have a different deadline or additional forms to fill out. Make sure to contact admission counselors from the schools that you are considering to get the correct information.
For those of you who are not seniors, but interested in preparing yourself for the college search this link gives you steps starting with what eighth graders should be doing to prepare for the future.
https://studentaid2.ed.gov/prepare/timeline/
Related Advice Posts:
- Six Steps to Financial Aid
