FINANCIAL AID / WEB RESOURCES

Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) (Link to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/)

Nearly every student is eligible for some form of financial aid! That includes low-interest Federal Stafford loans, parent PLUS loans, and more. The FAFSA is used by nearly all colleges and universities to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs.
Basically, the form determines whether or not you qualify for assistance. For example, we’ll need to know your family’s household income and other financial information. The U.S. Department of Education evaluates your form, and the results are electronically transmitted to the financial aid office of the school you list on your application.

When preparing for college, many students do not have thousands of dollars at the fingertips to pay tuition, fees, dorm, etc.  Many students apply for federal student aid. Types of Financial Aid (Links to an external site.)

It's a good idea to complete the FAFSA quickly as there are college deadlines that have to  be met for financial aid.  For your specific college's deadline please go to their website. 

For high school students that are going to college starting in fall of 2021  the FAFSA will be available on October 1, 2020. 

We typically have an event with Washburn University to assist families with this. Due to COVID, that won't be taking place. Here is an instructional video provided by Washburn University. https://video.washburn.edu/hapi/v1/contents/permalinks/Js9k4PZi/view (Links to an external site.)


Here is an outstanding video of how to complete the FAFSA step by step; however, part of it is no longer current as the FAFSA now requires a FSA ID INSTEAD of a Pin. 
https://www.finaid.ucsb.edu/fafsasimplification/index.html (Links to an external site.)

For a step by step tutorial in how to complete the FAFSA, please visit:
https://www.edvisors.com/fafsa/forms/tutorial/?utm_source=edvisors.com&utm_medium=Edvisors+Network&utm_content=callout&utm_campaign=https%3a%2f%2fwww.edvisors.com%2ffafsa%2fforms%2ftutorial%2faccount-creation%2f%3futm_source%3dedvisors.com%26utm_medium%3dEdvisors%2520Network%26utm_content%3dcallout%26utm_campaign%3dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.edvisors.com%252Ffafsa%252Fforms%252Ftutorial%252F&orig_url=edvisors.com (Links to an external site.)

Video:  Overview of Financial Aid Process
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbJ55UWMEFE (Links to an external site.)

Video:  Types of Federal Aid
Types of Federal Student Aid (Links to an external site.)

Video:  How to fill out the FAFSA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRyXfUStHO0 (Links to an external site.)

Video:  FAFSA Overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-23SMf5DyQ&feature=iv&src_vid=dEbxaRjlLus&annotation_id=annotation_583499 (Links to an external site.)


To create a FSA ID, please visit:
https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm (Links to an external site.)

To complete the FAFSA application please visit:
https://fafsa.ed.gov/

CHANGES TO THE FAFSA: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

SUMMARY
Starting with Academic Year 2017-2018, the traditional FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) submission date of January 1 will change to October 1. In addition, families will be able to use tax information from the prior year.

The January 1 start date made it difficult for families to get their tax information gathered in time to complete the application.

By moving the start date up three months earlier to October 1, students will have more time to fill out this vital information, they’ll have tax information at hand, and families will have more time to evaluate the school’s financial aid award package.

WHAT IT MEANS
Students enrolling for the academic year 2017-2018 will submit a FAFSA beginning October 1, 2016; families should again use their 2015 income tax information.
Impact: With more time to award financial aid, some schools may choose to adjust their calendar. This could mean changes to the admissions timeline as well as the timing for financial aid award letters and tuition bills. Students should check their colleges of choice to see if any dates or submission deadlines change.
General FASGA Eligibility Requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national or an eligible non-citizen

  • Have a valid Social Security Number

  • Have a high school diploma or GED

  • Be registered with the U.S. Selective Service (if you are a male aged 18-25)

  • Complete a FAFSA promising to use any federal aid for educational purposes

  • Do not owe refunds on any federal student grants

  • Not in default on any student loans

  • Not found guilty of the sale or possession of illegal drugs during a period in which federal aid was being received

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