The month of January is winding down, which means the days are rapidly ticking away until tax the dreaded tax filing deadline (AKA April 15). If you are planning to apply for financial aid, however, you have even less time than you may think. That is because you can not complete your FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, until you have your and/or your family's … [Read more...] about The 5-Minute FAFSA
FAFSA
Early Financial Aid Application Gets the Prize
Have you finished the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid? If not, what are you waiting for? It is true that your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be the same no matter how long you wait, but if you procrastinate too long you could lose other financial aid funding. The most needy students as defined by each college, gets a Federal Student … [Read more...] about Early Financial Aid Application Gets the Prize
Apply for Financial Aid as Dependent or Independent?
This is a question that many students have a most do not like the answer. The federal government considers you a dependent student until the age of 24. Financial aid was designed to fill the gap between what the federal government expects the family to contribute (EFC) toward the students' education. Reality may often be different from this calculation. If a student moves … [Read more...] about Apply for Financial Aid as Dependent or Independent?
What does your Financial Aid Award Letter Really Mean?
For high school seniors, spring is a nerve-racking season to walk to your mailbox! First, there is the much anticipated acceptance letter. But even more important, there is your financial aid award letter. If you completed the FAFSA and applied for financial aid for the 2011-2012 year, you should be getting your financial aid award letter any day now - if you haven't … [Read more...] about What does your Financial Aid Award Letter Really Mean?
Financial Aid Programs Affected By Budget Woes
The U.S. Congress is struggling to agree on the budget and whatever state you live in is struggling too. One of the big problems is that much of the fluff has already been cut and there are not a lot of discretionary areas to reduce spending. Education is one of the targets. How does that affect you? One proposal would have the Pell grant reduced by 15%. … [Read more...] about Financial Aid Programs Affected By Budget Woes