Financial Aid Information

The Government provides over $40 billion a year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance. The Student Financial Assistance Programs are the largest source of student aid in America, and could be the key to funding your college education.

If you have an interest in seeking federal student aid, you may obtain a printed copy of the financial aid application form from your area high school counseling offices, financial aid offices of colleges or universities, any public libraries, or by using the recommended web sites listed below.

Financial Aid is awarded on an annual basis, and the FAFSA application form should be completed as soon as possible after January 1st of each year. Students must reapply each year using a Renewal FAFSA application. For maximum consideration, be sure to submit your FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA application by the March 1st priority deadline.

The information students and their families provide on the application form is used to determine their eligibility for financial assistance. The information reported on the FAFSA application is used to calculate an "Expected Family Contribution" (EFC), according to a formula set by Congress. Therefore, please be sure to use the actual information from your tax return (do not use estimated information), and also note that any blank items will be assumed to be zero. If selected for verification, the student may need to provide the college or university with documentation of family income and resources (income tax returns of the student and parents).

You must obtain final admission to a College or University.
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).Go to FAFSA on the Web for more informations.

If you're completing a paper application form, and you would like the Federal Student Aid Information Center to send your FAFSA application information to schools that you might attend, use the Federal School Code Search Page to find the Federal School Codes to list on your FAFSA application.

For some helpful instructions and explanations on how to properly complete your FAFSA application, check out Completing the FAFSA.

Within three to four weeks after submitting the FAFSA, each applicant will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) , notifying you of the results of the application. Please be sure to review the SAR thoroughly to determine if there are any mistakes.

To have a copy of the FAFSA application form mailed to you.
To get some answers to general questions that you may have about what information you need to report on the FAFSA application form.
To answer questions on how to report information in some unusual cases.
To find out the status of your application.
To obtain a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) if you have not received a report within six weeks, or if you have lost your report and need another copy.

To request a copy of the FAFSA Express software.
If you have any technical questions about submitting an electronic FAFSA application form.

You should be sure to contact the financial aid office or contact the financial aid administrator at the college or university you plan to attend, for complete information concerning required applications and deadlines.

Please note that the college or university may require a supplemental form or institutional financial aid application, in order to award the college or university's own financial assistance. There also may be a fee associated with the supplemental application(s).

For your own records, please be sure to keep a copy of your completed FAFSA application form and any other applications or forms you must complete.

In addition to federal student aid, you may also be eligible for a Hope or Lifetime Learning income tax credit, both of which you claim when you file your taxes. For more information on these tax credits, this application, and the U.S. Department of Education's student aid programs, call 1-800-433-3243 Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 8:00pm eastern time or look on the Internet at www.ed.gov/offices/OPE.