FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid

What is Federal Student Aid? Federal Student Aid, or Student Aid, consists of a series of financial aid programs made by the U.S. Department of Education to aid students in paying for postsecondary education, online colleges and online schools. These programs involve grants, student loans, and work study.

Can I apply to more than one program? Definitely. As part of your application, you will select the programs that would benefit you. Typically, everyone is considered for grants, but if you are interested in student loans or work study, you must indicate it on the application.

How do I acquire Federal Student Aid? If you would like to obtain any form of financial aid from the federal government, you need to fill-out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. FAFSAs take about an hour to finish and can be obtained and submitted online. After your FAFSA is completed and evaluated, you will be notified about your eligibility for financial aid.

How much money from Federal Student Aid can I expect to receive? The amount and nature of the award depends on your personal need.

What do I need in order to complete a FAFSA? In order to complete a FAFSA, you will need your Social Security Number, driver's license, income tax return, bank statements, and investment records.

When do I need to fill-out my FAFSA? Apply early! Although you can apply for Federal Student Aid throughout the year, you will need to apply early if you want to secure funding before classes actually begin. Check with your local administrator about the specific financial aid deadlines for your school.