How To Obtain Financial Aid
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and the application can be accessed at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa .
Documentation needed to fill out FAFSA:
The FAFSA questions ask for information about you (your name, date of birth, address, etc.) and about your financial situation. Depending on your circumstances (for instance, whether you’re a U.S. citizen or what tax form you used), you might need the following information or documents as you fill out the FAFSA application:
Your Social Security number (it’s important that you enter it correctly on the FAFSA form!)
Your parents’ Social Security numbers if you are a dependent student
Your driver’s license number if you have one
Your Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen
Federal tax information, tax documents, or tax returns including IRS W-2 information, for you (and your spouse, if you are married), and for your parents if you are a dependent student:
IRS 1040
Foreign tax return or IRS 1040NR
Tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau
Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate (but not including the home in which you live); and business and farm assets for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student.
Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits, for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student
For tips and information about how to fill out the FAFSA application or to watch a “how to” video visit the website here:
Gift Aid
Gift Aid is money that does not need to be repaid after graduation.
Grants: Gift aid that is usually based on financial need. Fill out the FAFSA to be considered for university, state, and federal grants.
Scholarships: Gift aid that is usually based on skills or a specific demographic. Scholarships either come from the college/university or a private source. Explore your college options by speaking to the financial aid office. Explore private options by using a scholarship search engine such as fastweb.
Self-Help
Self-help is money that will need to be paid back after graduation or you will need to work a certain amount of hours in order to receive the money.
Loans: Loans can be obtained both from the federal government and from a private bank. Federal loans can be obtained by filling out the FAFSA. These loans have a maximum amount per year, but have better interest rates and repayment options than private loans. Private loans can be obtained by applying through a bank or financial institution.
Work-Study: Work study is an employment program some schools offer in order to offset outside costs of school. Some programs pay bi-weekly paychecks based on the number of hours worked, and some programs reduce the cost of tuition. Total amount of money available to earn is determined by financial need. If you have been awarded work study, you can search for and apply for a job on campus that pays in work study.
Short Overview: How to Fill out the FAFSA
Step by Step: How to Fill out the FAFSA