It’s that time of year again when you need to start gathering personal information and send it off to the government. No, I don’t mean taxes (though that's happening right now too!) – I’m talking FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid helps millions of students every year pay for college. Applications became available on January 1, and any student is eligible to apply, regardless of how much money they or their family makes. About 9 million students applied for aid for the 2006-07 school year, and 94% of those students chose to apply electronically. This year that will rise to 100% because FAFSA can now only be filed electronically.
The FAFSA federal deadline is June 30, 2009 for the 2008-09 school year – but don’t think this means you can slack off! Most states have their own deadlines and your university will also have a priority deadline to have the best chance of receiving a significant aid package (grants, federal or state funds, work-study). Check with your school’s financial aid office for their priority deadline.
Want some more tips or have more questions? Check out FAFSA’s blog.
Source: ed.gov
Yikes, FAFSA! One of the best things about being a young professional is that I can spend my New Years Day not on the computer trying to be one of the first to file an application. But, now that I'm a working girl, I worry about the student loans I have to pay back each month (which would be more if I hadn't filed my FAFSA every year).
A tip: Write down your PIN and your parents' PIN together and put them somewhere safe. That way, you won't be delayed when your mom/dad has to go through the requesting process before you sign and submit the form.
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