Financial Aid And The FAFSA Process
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or otherwise known as FAFSA is acknowledged as a very important procedure for all college goers. It assists in ascertaining the suitability of the student to get any financial aid for their education. The form should be filed in before any financial assistance can be granted, such as loans, work study programs and grants.
Many kinds of details will be required to complete the FAFSA form. Personal details like Date of Birth, Social Security Number, and contact details will need to be filled in. Also be prepared to share information about income and tax, educational qualifications, living arrangements, etc.
Keep in mind, if under the age of 21, these questions will be based on your parents income. There are some exceptions to this rule, check the website or speak to a financial aid officer to see if you might qualify.
To help with answering the questions, you’d need copies of either your income tax returns or of your parents, and perhaps also details about any bank accounts that generate interest income.
Wherever necessary you may choose to make corrections. But it is much better if you are aware of all details and know the correct answers. To this end, ensure that all the details and related documents are ready for you to cross check. Most importantly, make it a point that you submit the application before the deadline, which can differ for your school from that of the Government. It is best to keep a check on this.
You can submit your application either via the FAFSA website or can request for an application form and mail it in. If you want to use the website to fill your application, you would be first required to register for an account by creating a login and a password. You will then be given a PIN number which is automatically generated. This PIN can also be requested by mail if you choose so. You have the option of filling in the form at your convenience and you can save whatever information you have filled in and resume any time later. Once the online application is submitted, you receive a confirmation by email as well as a reference number.
The details submitted in the FAFSA form will assist in assessing your EFT or the Estimated Family Contribution. This number helps in assessing whether you have to make any contributions to the tuition costs. If the EFT is 0, this means that you do not have to pay any part of the tuition charges. On the other hand, if the EFT is more than 0, you would have to pay a portion of your tuition costs. Bear in mind that it is in your advantage to fill the FAFSA form, even if you are ineligible for the federal aid. The FAFSA application will help you in applying for and getting study loans, scholarships or even campus work-study.
The FAFSA results for all applicants are received by the respective school and you will be contacted by your school if any more financial or personal particulars are needed. Details required can range from copies of your tax returns, to W-2s, or any relevant documentation. This happens as part of the verification process, and is applicable for selected candidates. When the applicant clears this routine, they will be eligible for financial grants.