Financial Aid Notes

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first form you will need to file

to begin the financial need process for most federal student aid programs.

The FAFSA form will be required for all Federal Student Loans and many scholarships. It is used by colleges to determine your financial aid eligibility.

You must determine your dependent and independent status before completing the FAFSA form:

See dependent vs. independent status: Step 1

Dependent Status:
both the parent and the student MUST complete the FAFSA form to be eligible for financial aid.

Independent Status:
only the student and the spouse, if applicable MUST complete the FAFSA form to be eligible for financial aid.

You may submit the FAFSA form anytime after January 1 in the year you intend to begin school;

For example, if you plan to attend school in Fall 2007, you must submit your FAFSA form anytime after January 1, 2007 to about the end of July in order to qualify for financial aid for the academic year coming up.

You should submit your FAFSA form early to meet college financial aid deadlines

The FAFSA form must be completed and renewed each year while you attend school

eligible financial aid may increase or decrease each academic year depending on the college and the renewed FAFSA form that is renewed each year the student is in school.

Some schools may require additional forms for the student to become eligible for non-federal financial aid

The CSS Profile form is the most commonly used form for many Private schools. The PROFILE form requires more complete information not generally covered by the FAFSA form —

contact your college institution to determine whether they require the PROFILE form and any other Financial Aid Application forms

Link for more information and an application:
information on CSS® Profile and participating schools from www.collegeboard.com

Completing the FAFSA form requires the following records:

• social security number and driver license
• alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
  
  
• tax returns for the fiscal year that just ended
• W-2 and 1099 forms
• records of untaxed income, such as Social Security benefits, AFDC or ADC, child support, welfare, pensions, military subsistence allowances, and veterans benefits
  
  
• current bank and mortgage statements
• medical and dental expenses during the past year that was not covered by medical insurance
• business and/or farm records
  
  
• current investment records for stock, bonds, mutual funds, CDs, and money market accounts
  
  make sure you keep a copy of all these records secure in the event that your college is required to request records for verification

Follow these FAFSA form submission steps:

jump to financial aid Step 2