It's FAFSA Time--and Other Financial Aid Info...
THE FAFSA:
If you haven't already completed it, NOW is the time to get your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completed. (The priority deadline is March 2nd for California students.) The FAFSA is the key to receiving financial aid--whether from the government or from the universities themselves. The link to the official FAFSA site is provided in the Financial Aid Links section of this blog.
For those of you in California, the FAFSA form is also the key to applying for Cal Grants--a California state financial aid program for low and moderate income families.
After you submit your FAFSA, you will receive information about your family's EFC or Estimated Family Contribution--this is the amount that the family will be expected to pay toward the annual cost. Everything ABOVE that amount, up to the cost of attendance, is considered your "need." Colleges meet that need in a variety of ways--Federal Loans of various kinds, grants, and scholarships. Every school will have a different method of determining what the ratio will be for loans vs grants for any given student. We'll be talking about that in later posts!
OTHER FINANCIAL AID FORMS:
In addition to the FAFSA, there may be other forms required. Most private colleges and universities also require the CSS form to be filled out--you can find the CSS at the College Board Site.
Many colleges and universities also have their own Financial Aid form, so be sure to check the Financial Aid section of each school to which you have applied!!!
If you qualify for Cal Grants, you'll need to send a grade report--more on that in the future!
WHAT I DON'T THINK I'LL QUALIFY FOR AID???
You should STILL fill out a FAFSA!!! If you're applying to private colleges and Universities, depending on the specific college and the average family income for that school, you could be surprised--they may still offer your student grant money or Federal loans, even if you make a higher than average income.
Besides, the Parent Student Loan (PLUS) also requires the FAFSA!
If you haven't already completed it, NOW is the time to get your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completed. (The priority deadline is March 2nd for California students.) The FAFSA is the key to receiving financial aid--whether from the government or from the universities themselves. The link to the official FAFSA site is provided in the Financial Aid Links section of this blog.
For those of you in California, the FAFSA form is also the key to applying for Cal Grants--a California state financial aid program for low and moderate income families.
After you submit your FAFSA, you will receive information about your family's EFC or Estimated Family Contribution--this is the amount that the family will be expected to pay toward the annual cost. Everything ABOVE that amount, up to the cost of attendance, is considered your "need." Colleges meet that need in a variety of ways--Federal Loans of various kinds, grants, and scholarships. Every school will have a different method of determining what the ratio will be for loans vs grants for any given student. We'll be talking about that in later posts!
OTHER FINANCIAL AID FORMS:
In addition to the FAFSA, there may be other forms required. Most private colleges and universities also require the CSS form to be filled out--you can find the CSS at the College Board Site.
Many colleges and universities also have their own Financial Aid form, so be sure to check the Financial Aid section of each school to which you have applied!!!
If you qualify for Cal Grants, you'll need to send a grade report--more on that in the future!
WHAT I DON'T THINK I'LL QUALIFY FOR AID???
You should STILL fill out a FAFSA!!! If you're applying to private colleges and Universities, depending on the specific college and the average family income for that school, you could be surprised--they may still offer your student grant money or Federal loans, even if you make a higher than average income.
Besides, the Parent Student Loan (PLUS) also requires the FAFSA!
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