FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The process of receiving financial aid starts with FAFSA. By submitting your application, you apply for the U.S. Department of Education’s federal student aid programs. You are also registered to apply for funds from your state and school.
To receive aid from, you must:
- Demonstrate financial need (except for certain loans)
- Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, pass a test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, meet other standards your state establishes that the Department approves, or complete a high school education in a home school setting that is treated as such under state law
- Be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- Have a valid Social Security Number
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school
- Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant
- Certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes
It is recommended you follow these 3 steps when beginning the FAFSA process:
1) Before beginning a FAFSA: Get organized. To simplify the application process, gather required documents and other information ahead of time.
2) Filling out a FAFSA: Fill out the application. The FAFSA has seven steps that ask about you, your financial information, your school plans, and more.
3) FAFSA follow-up: View your results online. You can check the status of your application, make corrections to a processed FAFSA, and get other information. One thing you will get is your EFC (expected family contribution).
Tags: Fafsa Federal Student Aid Financial Aid Help
