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The clipping this text was read from
The clipping this text was read from

(Free Application

for Federal

Student Aid)

By Miranda Hope

and Jason Gochenour

Here’s the good news: “Students received over $122 billion in financial aid for undergraduate and graduate study in 2003-04” (College Board, Trends in Student Aid, 2004).

Here’s the bad news: Filling out forms is no fun; this is just the beginning of finding the money to pay for college.

Here’s the drill: It’s free. It’s the first step in getting many kinds of aid, so even if you think you won’t qualify for federal aid, you still may want to send it in. (The rate for unsubsidized loans - and anyone can get these - is usually better than most banks.) You can fill the FAFSA out electronically (takes 1 week to process) or on paper (4 weeks.) The Department of Education will check your eligibility, calculate your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), provide you with a Student Aid Report (SAR), and send that report to the schools (up to 6) that you select.

Ten tips on the FAFSA form and Federal Student Aid:

1. Before you file online you will need a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Go online to: www.fafsa.ed.gov to get your PIN.

2. Parents, get your income taxes done early. (If parents refuse to provide information, the student cannot apply for any aid.)

3. For FAFSA on the Web, you can go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. You can get a paper FAFSA from your:

• High school guidance office,

• RCAP office across from the auditorium

• College financial aid office,

• Local public library, or

• The Federal Student Aid Information Center by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-4333243).

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