What is the FAFSA and Should I Fill It Out?
FAFSA stands for "Free Application for Federal Student Aid".
What does that mean for you? Free money!
The FAFSA is used by colleges and universities to determine how much help you need financially. Most schools require you to fill out the FAFSA to be eligible for any of their scholarships as well, even those that aren't need based (like academic scholarships, for example).
The FAFSA is used by Federal Student Aid, an office of the Department of Education. That means you can count on your information to be safe and secure.
Anyone who plans to pursue post-secondary education should fill out the FAFSA.
In very special circumstances, people will not qualify for federal aid. To the right is a graphic to help you know if you qualify - if you still have questions, or think you don't qualify, set up an appointment with Mrs. Young or a counselor to discuss it.
If you are an undocumented or DACA-mented student, see the fact sheet below for more information about financial aid that is still available to you, and the steps you may need to take to secure it.
If your parents are undocumented, but you are documented, then you are able to fill out the FAFSA. In fact, the FAFSA doesn't ask about your parent's status.
Sometimes, giving this information to the federal government can be very scary for families. Please know that no information given on the FAFSA will be given to other federal departments, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"But my parents make too much money, so I shouldn't fill it out."
More than just the amount your parents make is taken into account. Plus, you may be eligible for non-need based scholarships at the school you are applying to.
"Only smart kids get scholarships."
First - let's not consider ourselves "not smart" just because of GPA and test scores!
Second - there are many scholarships and grants that either do not take grades into account, or have a lower cut off than you might think! Don't sell yourself short.
"I don't want to take out any loans, so I can't go to college."
Another common misconception. Depending on your eligibility, you may not need to take out any loans at all. You should also look into federal student loans, which are a bit different than private loans. More on this later.
What does that mean for you? Free money!
The FAFSA is used by colleges and universities to determine how much help you need financially. Most schools require you to fill out the FAFSA to be eligible for any of their scholarships as well, even those that aren't need based (like academic scholarships, for example).
The FAFSA is used by Federal Student Aid, an office of the Department of Education. That means you can count on your information to be safe and secure.
Anyone who plans to pursue post-secondary education should fill out the FAFSA.
In very special circumstances, people will not qualify for federal aid. To the right is a graphic to help you know if you qualify - if you still have questions, or think you don't qualify, set up an appointment with Mrs. Young or a counselor to discuss it.
If you are an undocumented or DACA-mented student, see the fact sheet below for more information about financial aid that is still available to you, and the steps you may need to take to secure it.
If your parents are undocumented, but you are documented, then you are able to fill out the FAFSA. In fact, the FAFSA doesn't ask about your parent's status.
Sometimes, giving this information to the federal government can be very scary for families. Please know that no information given on the FAFSA will be given to other federal departments, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"But my parents make too much money, so I shouldn't fill it out."
More than just the amount your parents make is taken into account. Plus, you may be eligible for non-need based scholarships at the school you are applying to.
"Only smart kids get scholarships."
First - let's not consider ourselves "not smart" just because of GPA and test scores!
Second - there are many scholarships and grants that either do not take grades into account, or have a lower cut off than you might think! Don't sell yourself short.
"I don't want to take out any loans, so I can't go to college."
Another common misconception. Depending on your eligibility, you may not need to take out any loans at all. You should also look into federal student loans, which are a bit different than private loans. More on this later.
Types of Aid:
Grants - Typically need-based awards that don't have to be repaid. Considered "Free Money." Grants can be federal, state, school, or private awards.
Scholarships - Typically merit based awards that don't have to be repaid. Considered "Free Money." Scholarships can be federal, state, school, or private awards.
Work-Study - This is "earned money", meaning that you will work throughout the school year and receive a paycheck. This money does not have to be repaid. keep in mind, work study money isn't simply given to you - the amount you see on your award letter is the amount you are eligible to receive throughout the year. If you don't work, you don't get the money! You may also make less money than the award letter says you qualify for. This money isn't available at the start of the semester, so you won't be able to use it towards tuition unless you set up a payment plan.
Loans - "borrowed money" - this money will have to be paid back, with interest. Their are private loans and federal loans. You should always choose federal loans before private, because they have lower, fixed interest rates and offer more flexible repayment plans
Grants - Typically need-based awards that don't have to be repaid. Considered "Free Money." Grants can be federal, state, school, or private awards.
Scholarships - Typically merit based awards that don't have to be repaid. Considered "Free Money." Scholarships can be federal, state, school, or private awards.
Work-Study - This is "earned money", meaning that you will work throughout the school year and receive a paycheck. This money does not have to be repaid. keep in mind, work study money isn't simply given to you - the amount you see on your award letter is the amount you are eligible to receive throughout the year. If you don't work, you don't get the money! You may also make less money than the award letter says you qualify for. This money isn't available at the start of the semester, so you won't be able to use it towards tuition unless you set up a payment plan.
Loans - "borrowed money" - this money will have to be paid back, with interest. Their are private loans and federal loans. You should always choose federal loans before private, because they have lower, fixed interest rates and offer more flexible repayment plans
Financial Aid and Undocumented Students | |
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Where do I fill out the FAFSA?
Go to the right website!
The FAFSA application can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid. If you are on a website that tries to charge you, it is a scam.
For special circumstances, there is a paper FAFSA that can be printed out and completed; however, we do not suggest you file on paper because it takes several weeks to process and is harder to complete.
The FAFSA application can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid. If you are on a website that tries to charge you, it is a scam.
For special circumstances, there is a paper FAFSA that can be printed out and completed; however, we do not suggest you file on paper because it takes several weeks to process and is harder to complete.
General FAFSA Tips from FSA (Link)
FSA ID's |
What information do I need? |
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There are many things you will either need to know or need in-hand in order to fill out the FAFSA and to create your FSA ID. This can include:
Many students will not need all of these documents. What exactly is needed for each individual student depends on income and other factors, but all students will need social security numbers, W-2s, and tax forms. You can fill out the FAFSA at home, or with your parents' permission, you can do it at school with Mrs. Young.
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Tax Documents and the FAFSA
You may be able to import your tax info straight from the IRS. Time saver!
Special Circumstances: My Life According to FAFSA
TIP= Tuition Incentive Program. Starting with the 2017-2018 Year, in order to receive TIP funds, students MUST file a FAFSA.