https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa 

Remember, to complete the FAFSA students AND their parents/caregivers must make Federal Student Aid (FSA) IDs. If you don't have one yet, click here to make your account. To complete your account creation, you and your caregiver will need

• Your Social Security number

• Your mobile phone number

• Your PERSONAL email address

For the FAFSA application you will need your parent/guardian information

• Full legal name

• Date of Birth

• Social Security Number

• Email address

• Your parent's marital status and how they file their taxes (single, married jointly, married and separated)

If your FSA ID account is made and you'd like support in completing FAFSA, please reach out to RHS CCC staff to make an appointment! Don't hesitate to connect with us about any Financial Aid concerns and questions. 

FAFSA or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the single application necessary to complete which determines a student's eligibility for receiving state and federal financial aid. In short, completing the FAFSA gives you access for money to pay for college! FAFSA generally provides students money, or financial aid, in three forms:

• Grants: Money that is provided on the basis of need or merit, and does not need to be paid back.

• Work-Study: Money you earn while in college. Earned income goes towards educational costs.

• Loans: Money that accrues interest and must be paid back.

This page is meant to familiarize you with what you'll need for the FAFSA and the types of aid you can expect once your FAFSA is completed. The FAFSA is available to students born in the US and eligible non-citizens. If this doesn't sound applicable to you, check out the MN Dream Act Page.

When you're ready to complete your FAFSA or MN Dream Act feel free to set up an appointment with either of your CCC Coordinators so we can walk you through the application and ensure it's completed correctly. In the meantime, take a look through this page to get the info you'll need to complete your Financial Aid.

As stated above, completing the FAFSA provides aid that comes in a few different forms. However, determining which aid you chose to take may come down to whether the aid is a loan, grant, or work-study.

A great rule-of-thumb when it comes to deciding which aid to accept:

1. Free money first (e.g., scholarships, grants)

2. Earned money second (e.g., work-study)

3. Borrowed money last (e.g., federal student loans)

Your Federal Student Aid will fall into one of two categories: Need-based Aid and Non Need-Based Aid. 

Need-Based Aid might show up as:

• Federal Pell Grant: Federal Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a degree. The amount awarded can be up to $6,345, but depends on a students' Cost of Attendance (COA)

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Money given directly from the Financial Aid Offices of participating schools. The FSEOG grant is given to to students demonstrating high financial need and can be anywhere between $100 - $4,000.

• Direct Subsidized Loan: A loan that accrues interest BUT that interest is paid by the US gov while students are in school. The gov. also pays the interest on these loans under other conditions (click the link for more info)

• Federal Work-Study: Money earned through a part-time, campus job. This program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study. Money earned goes towards the cost of covering college.

Non Need Based Aid will show up as things like:

• Direct Unsubsidized Loan: These loans accrue interest during the entire life-span of the loan. Students are responsible for paying the principle balance and the interest of the loan once the loan goes into the repayment period after graduation or lower than half-time status.

• Federal PLUS Loan: A loan for eligible parents with a fixed interest rate. Parents of the student are responsible for paying back the principle balance and interest of these loans.