Seniors, it’s that time of year! To all of you graduating this semester, first off, congratulations! Now’s the time to start planning on financing your post-secondary education.
Many of you may be thinking you can’t afford college, but we’re here to say, “Yes, you can!” There are several forms of aid you can earn even if you don’t have straight A’s. You may also qualify for financial aid, or money granted to you by the Federal Government. This money is granted to college students with lower income, and you could get approved for a loan or a grant. To start, you’ll need to fill out a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Here’s what you need to know about FAFSA.
Items Needed to Complete FAFSA
- Your social security number
- OR your Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. Citizen
- Your parents’ most recent Tax Return forms, including W2 forms and any other form of income
How to Apply in Two Steps
Step 1: Head to the FAFSA site and start an application
- You will need to create a PIN number. It can be hard to retrieve if you forget, so make it memorable!
Step 2: Fill out the entire form using the items above.
For more detailed instructions on the application process, check out this infographic.
A Few Important Things to Note
- FAFSA opened January 1 and runs through about May
- The earlier you apply, the better! Students who apply in January are much more likely to receive grants than those in May.
- If you don’t think you will qualify, apply anyway! It’s free and you won’t know until you try.
- Many scholarships require a FAFSA form, so if you plan to apply for any scholarships, be sure to complete your FAFSA form this month.
- The May deadline applies to students attending college in the Fall 2017 semester. Students who are not attending until the Spring 2018 semester have until December 2017 to complete the form, but again, the earlier you apply the better.
No matter your plans after high school, be sure to take the time to fill out a FAFSA form. It certainly won’t hurt, and can potentially give you free money to use toward your education.
For any questions, you can always reach out to your guidance counselor! They are more than qualified and willing to walk you through applying. They’re available at 208.908.6250.
- Students, what are your plans after high school? Share with us in the comments below!