FAFSA Applications

[emily g]

I ran across this (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=36408) older thread by Storyboard Dave about filling out FAFSA applications and it inspired me to start this thread here.

You need to fill out this application to be considered for federal and state financial aid.

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Two articles with some info:
College Bound (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/04/BAG36NUGSH1.DTL&hw) by Joanne Levy-Prewitt
Talking Money:This year, resolve to secure financial aid for your child (http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/206723/) by Jean Chatzky

[emily g]

The Government Financial Aid Book: The Insider's Guide to State and Federal Government Grants and Loans (http://www.amazon.com/Government-Financial-Aid-Book-Insiders/dp/1881199037/sr=1-1/qid=1171607240/ref=sr_1_1/104-8586523-0791902?ie=UTF8&s=books)
I found this book at the library and it looks very helpful. It goes into detail about filling out the FAFSA and all the stuff you need to know and calculate.

It also has info on applying for (and negotiating a better) financial aid package from your college and estimating the cost of attending college. There is a section listing state financial aid resources as well.

[rblitz7]

Thanks for the info Emily! very helpful.

[macois]

Yes, the fafsa is crucial for getting financial aid. Make sure you complete it early and then go on to apply for financial aid. Search for scholarships, talk with the people at your financial aid office and apply. A lot of money is available - you don't get it if you don't apply.

One free guide on how to complete the fafsa is written by Chris Penn who al produces the FinancialAidPodcast. The book is a step by step instruction guide on how to answer each question in the FAFSA form. Some are harder than you think. Anyway, you can download the book for free at: www.fafsaonline.com/fafsa-guide-ebook.php

Oh yeah - you also have to apply for the stafford loan - you don't get it automatically...

[Psypomp]

Very good thing to mention, even though I think a lot of high schoolers know about it already. I filled mine out a few weeks ago.. it's really important to get it done quickly!

[emily g]

Thanks for that link macois.

Here are some other links for the FinancialAidPodcast.

http://www.financialaidpodcast.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/FinancialAidPodcast