Six Tips to Sail Through Completing the FAFSA
Your eligibility for financial aid will be based on the calendar year starting in January of your junior year. Now is the time to learn what information you and your parents will need in order to file a FAFSA.
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form students and parents must complete and submit to the federal government to determine their eligibility for financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Who files the FAFSA?
Since this is a federal application, it is for US citizens or students with a legal status in the United States. International students are not eligible for federal student aid.
What kind of aid does the federal government offer?
There are three types of aid offered by the US government: 1) Grants, 2) Student Loans, 3) Work-study. Colleges will also often use the FAFSA to award their own need-based financial aid.
Take Action
- Complete the EFC Calculator in GuidedPath. Review the results with your parents.
- Read Tackling the Basics of College Affordability to learn how colleges award financial aid.
