The 4-1-1 on FAFSA
April 2, 2008 by schev
When exploring financial aid options to help pay for college, one of the first steps for most students and parents is to fill out the FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The majority of FAFSA forms are filled out online, though students and parents can still request a paper version from their school counselor.
One important thing to remember when using the online form: The official FAFSA is www.FAFSA.ed.gov. It is not a .com Web site. If you go to a .com site, you will probably be asked to pay to submit the FAFSA, and that’s no fun. The first F in FAFSA stands for “Free,” after all.
The Online Process
To simplify the FAFSA application process, gather required information ahead of time. You’ll need documents such as your Social Security Number (or your Alien Registration Number if you are not a U.S. citizen) and 2007 federal tax information.
Once you have gathered the required information, which is all listed on a worksheet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before012.htm, go to the FAFSA web site and fill out the application! The FAFSA has seven steps that ask about you, your financial information, your school plans, and more. There are options to save your data, so you don’t have to fill out the form in one sitting.
Deadlines
For the 2008-2009 school year (July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009) FAFSA on the Web applications must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight time on June 30, 2009.
Also remember that, although the FAFSA is the federal application for financial aid, it is also often used to apply for aid from other sources, such as your state or school. The deadlines for your state or schools may be different from the federal deadlines, and you may be required to complete additional forms. Check with your high school guidance counselor or a financial aid administrator at your college or university to make sure you know about earlier deadlines.
I know you have to update your FAFSA every year, but this is my first time having to update…do I just change all the information from last year and resumbit or do I file a new form for the new school year?
Tabitha,
Either option would work. The Pre-filled FAFSA contains most of the information you supplied on last year’s application while all information must be supplied on the regular FAFSA. You may find that updating information on the pre-filled FAFSA is faster than starting from scratch.
More detailed information about reapplying can be found on the FAFSA website(http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/help/fftoc01e.htm).
-Melissa Wyatt, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia