Financial Aid Applications

To apply for student financial aid from the federal government, including Direct loans and work-study, students need to submit financial aid applications. The most important financial aid application is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should apply for aid every year by filing out the FAFSA.

There are many factors affecting eligibility for financial aid, like a change in family financial circumstances. For example, a student who didn’t qualify one year might become eligible during the next year when a brother or sister enrolls in college. Before you fill out the FAFSA, it’s imperative that you get to know the form a little better. In doing so, you may be able to qualify for more financial aid, helping you further along the path of going to college. Learn More: 10 FAFSA Mistakes that Affect Financial Aid

If you want to get an early estimate of what the government thinks you can afford to pay for your education, try Finaid’s Financial Aid Estimation Form. It lets you play what-if games to give you an idea how changes in income and assets affect the expected family contribution (EFC). Finaid also has a variety of other calculators that can be found here: EFC calculators

Financial Aid Resources by ethnicity, nationality, race, orientation and various circumstances.
• Financial Aid for Older & Nontraditional Students
• Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
• Financial Aid for Minority Students
• Financial Aid for Female Students
• Financial Aid for Jewish Students
• Financial Aid for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Students
• Financial Aid for Undocumented Students
• Financial Aid for Canadian Students
• The Basics of Financial Aid for Studying Abroad

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month! The most important issues and answers to key questions are addressed in Fastweb’s important article: Financial Aid Awareness Month – Financial Aid Helps Students Pay for School.