FAFSA is the KEY!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the key
that opens the door to financial aid. It serves as the application for most
of the financial aid from federal and state programs and from colleges and
universities. Even if you are not sure that you will need financial aid,
we recommend that you fill out a FAFSA
anyway -- it's free.
You should submit the FAFSA as soon after January
1 as possible, making sure you meet any college or state deadlines. The quickest
and most accurate way to file the FAFSA
is online. In contrast to a paper copy, the online form displays only the
data entry fields you need to complete. You also receive directions as you
need them. The FAFSA preparation worksheets are also available in Spanish.
To complete the FAFSA you are required to provide your signature and that
of at least one parent if you are a dependent student. You can either print
a signature page that can be mailed to the processing center, or you can sign
the FAFSA electronically using your Federal
Student Aid PIN. Your parent will need his/her own PIN to sign your FAFSA.
Your PIN stays the same so you and your parent do not need to apply for new
PINs each year. To apply for a PIN or to request a duplicate, go to www.pin.ed.gov.
Remember, your FAFSA will not be processed without the required signature.
If
you prefer to fill out a copy of the FAFSA, you can obtain one by calling
the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID.
The
FAFSA may not be the only form required to receive an award letter from a
school. You must also complete the college admissions process. Check with
each of the colleges and universities you listed on your FAFSA to determine
their requirements.
If you filed your FAFSA electronically, you will
receive an electronic Student Aid Report (SAR) within a few days of submitting
your completed FAFSA. (SAR results may take three weeks if you filed a paper
FAFSA.) The SAR is the result of your FAFSA. Read it immediately and follow
any directions. The schools you list on the FAFSA will also receive results.