FAFSA [Free Application for Federal Student Aid] forms should be completed by anybody applying to college. Many prospective students are not aware of what aid they are eligible for.

You don’t need a perfect academic record in order to win a merit-based scholarship; these scholarships are often granted to students with the help of the FAFSA.

With recent tuition hikes, it’s important to fill out your FAFSA forms and take the time to fill them out correctly. The FAFSA partners with colleges, financial institutions and private organizations in order to help students and families pay for college.

FAFSA: An Introduction

The FAFSA performs many functions:

•  Educating students and families on the process of obtaining aid. If you have questions about how the financial aid process works or want to know if you qualify for a grant or loan, FAFSA can help.

•  Processing millions of student financial aid applications each year.

• Disbursing billions of dollars in aid funds to students through schools. Regardless of your income level or grade point average, some type of aid should be available to you.

• Enforcing financial aid rules and regulations. If you receive scholarship or loan funds, check to see if any rules and regulations are attached to them – perhaps the money must be used within a certain amount of time, or for a certain purpose.

Many colleges require students to fill out FAFSA forms to be eligible for merit-based scholarships.

FAFSA Form Documents

The documents you need to fill out your FAFSA form include your income tax return (if you have one), your parents’ income tax return if you are a dependent student, untaxed income records and current bank statements.

You’ll also need to provide your Social Security Number and either a driver’s license or a state-issued identification card.

FAFSA Form Deadline

Whether you fill out a FAFSA form online or on paper, be sure to complete it on time! The deadline for FAFSA form submissions is usually March 1.

Many applicants choose to complete the form online, since it’s quicker to submit that way. Paper FAFSA forms are available at your public library or guidance counselor’s office.

There are no fees for submitting a FAFSA form. Fill out your FAFSA forms and find out what financial aid you are eligible for!

After Completing the FAFSA Form

You usually must wait until you are accepted to colleges to find out what type of aid, and how much, you qualify for. Ask your college guidance counselor or a FAFSA professional if you have any questions.

Waiting for the results of the FAFSA form can be nerve-wracking, but it’s an important step in your preparation for college.

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