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Completing the FAFSA

Wondering how you will pay for your higher education? An important step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA. Even if you don't think you will qualify for need-based financial aid, you should complete this form anyway. It's free to file online and relatively simple. By completing the FAFSA, you ensure that you will be considered for all categories of aid a college has to offer, including federal, state, and institutional grants, loans, and scholarships. If you don't file, you may not be considered for any help at all.
You can complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov any time after Jan. 1 for the 2008-2009 academic year. And the sooner you do it, the better. Although many colleges have deadlines in the spring, they make financial aid awards on a first-come, first-served basis. So don't wait until the last minute, or some of the potential cash may be gone.

Making it Easy
According to Lee Harrell, assistant vice president of admission and financial aid for Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio (www.owu.edu), the most important instruction for completing the FAFSA is to be accurate and be on time. Also remember to use your name as printed on your Social Security card and use actual tax returns for both you and your parents. (W-2 forms lack the full information necessary for the FAFSA.)
Harrell also advises that you complete the online worksheet before you enter your final information into the FAFSA itself to help ensure accuracy. The worksheet follows the same order as the final form, which makes data easy to transfer.
Harrell also adds that if you think you may miss a college's deadline because your or your parents' tax returns are not complete, use estimated information. You don't want to risk missing a deadline, and you can update the estimated information later.

Other helpful tips for completing the FAFSA:

• If your parents are divorced or separated, include information from the parent with whom you lived the longest during the last 12 months.
• If you have a stepparent, be sure to include that person's information on the FAFSA.
• Include yourself in the household size, even if you don't live there.
• Answer "yes" to the question that asks about your interest in different types of aid, such as work-study and student loans. You are not obligated to accept these programs if you are eligible, but answering "yes" allows you to be considered.
• Keep a printout of your FAFSA results and keep copies of the worksheets and other records used to complete the FAFSA.
• Make sure you and one of your parents sign the FAFSA. You both should sign the FAFSA electronically with a personal identification number (PIN). You and your parents can apply for a PIN from the FAFSA Web site.

Changing Circumstances
If you complete your form, but your family's financial circumstances change soon after, because of unemployment, disability, etc., contact your college to discuss appealing your aid status. Most colleges have procedures that may help you receive more aid.
If you need assistance with the FAFSA or other aid issues, don't hesitate to contact your college's financial aid office. Financial aid administrators are available to help you complete financial aid forms, determine your eligibility and answer your questions.
Finally, Harrell adds that financial aid information nights are provided by many high schools during your senior year. These sessions are a great source of information for you and your parents to learn more about the financial aid process. Good luck!

This blog was written by Valerie Anderson

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