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getting money for college
getting money for college
Money, Money, Money
Money, Money, Money
Your college adviser has probably talked to you about this before, but here’s a refresher! To qualify for most forms of financial aid, you will have to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as the FAFSA. The most important part of that is FREE application! This video gives a great rundown of the basics:
The FAFSA opened for graduating seniors on October 1st and will close March 1st, so if you haven’t done yours yet, now’s a perfect time to check out these tips and tricks on how to get started!
For a quick explanation on how to create an FSA ID, check out this video!
If you’ve submitted the FAFSA already, skip to our section on what to do now!
If you’ve submitted the FAFSA already, skip to our section on what to do now!
What you'll need to get money with the fafsa
What you'll need to get money with the fafsa
The FSA ID
The very first and most important step that you will have to take to even start your FAFSA is making your FSA ID.
The FSA ID will be used to:
Sign BOTH the student and parent’s names at the end of the FAFSA.
Utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to extract tax information directly from the IRS without having to go through all the printed documents and numbers.
You AND your parent(s) will BOTH need to make an FSA ID, which is basically a fancy and secure way to log in to the FAFSA and other student aid-related things.
While you sign up, keep in mind these common issues:
If you have a sibling that is currently in college, your parent might have made an FSA ID before. Check in with your sibling or parent to see if they know the information or you will just have to reset it.
If the newer version of the FSA ID website does not work for your computer, try using the old one here!
Other documents and important info
Other documents and important info
This list of things that you will also need for your journey through the FAFSA. Before you meet with your adviser or counselor to work on your FAFSA, make sure you have all the documentation below!
Your Social Security Number and your parents’ Social Security Number(s)
Your parents’ 2020 W-2 form(s) AND tax forms (if you’re a dependent student)
If you’re unsure which parent’s information to use, click here for more info or ask your adviser
Your driver's license (if you have one)
Your Alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Special circumstances
Special circumstances
For many students, there are certain circumstances where parent information will not be utilized. If you can answer “Yes” to any of the questions below, you will NOT need parent info. If this is the case, please reach out to your adviser or counselor and discuss how you will go about filling out your FAFSA!
Are you homeless or at risk of being homeless?
Have you been in foster care, or a ward of the court?
Are you an emancipated minor or in legal guardianship?
Do you have dependents that receive more than half of their support from you?
Were you over 24 years old?
Are you married?
Are you a veteran of the US armed forces?
you submitted the fafsa. what do you do now?
you submitted the fafsa. what do you do now?
So, let’s say you got all the tax documents, put in all of the Social Security Numbers, signed with your FSA ID, and you’re probably wondering what to do now.
After you submit your FAFSA and list all the schools you want it sent to, each school will receive your FAFSA and see what type of financial aid package to give you based on your information. Financial aid is split up into several different parts, like:
Federal and state grants
Work study funds
Subsidized and unsubsidized loans
If you’re accepted to a school, they will send you a breakdown of what kinds of aid you qualify for and how much, as long as they’ve got your FAFSA.
If you want to get a head start on understanding what’s in a financial aid offer letter, check out this video!
If you want to get a head start on understanding what’s in a financial aid offer letter, check out this video!
making that money
making that money
We know this whole process can be daunting, but just remember that there’s lots of people here to help support you in this process!
Make sure to reach out to your adviser or counselor for one-on-one appointments, financial aid nights, office hours, and any questions you may have, and if you can, get your family involved. Even if your parent or guardian didn’t go to college, it’s always a good idea to make sure everyone’s part of the conversation so they can see how they can help out.
get money without the fafsa
get money without the fafsa
Before we go further, let’s double-check whether or not you can complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid which we use to get many students their financial aid.
Do you have a Social Security Number? (A TIN number does not count.) If you do, then you can complete the FAFSA, and our tips for getting money with the FAFSA will be a little more useful for you. Even if your parents don’t have Social Security Numbers, you can still fill out the FAFSA (ask your adviser or counselor for what to do in this situation).
If you don’t have a Social Security Number, it’s okay! Though getting money might not be as easy, you’re not alone—we’re here to help you find ways to pay!
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