Apply for Financial Aid

All students seeking aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, called the FAFSA (FAF-suh).You can complete a FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or pick up a paper FAFSA from your high school guidance office, college financial aid office or library.

The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for all federal student financial aid programs. It is also the official form for applying for most state and school aid. Because the FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for many different programs, it is comprehensive. The FAFSA can take a couple of hours to complete, but it is well worth the effort to gain access to financial aid.

Because much of the information required on the FAFSA comes from your current tax return, you cannot file the FAFSA before January 1 of the year in which the student will start school. It is important to file it as soon as possible after January 1 to ensure the greatest access to available aid. Some programs are funded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The data provided on your FAFSA is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is the amount you and your family will be required to contribute toward your education expenses. Generally, your aid eligibility is equal to the difference between your EFC and the total cost of education. Your EFC does not change from school to school, but your aid eligibility will.

SAMPLE AID ELIGIBILITY:

Some colleges require that students complete the College Scholarship Services (CSS) Financial Aid PROFILE to be considered for institutional aid. If the colleges to which you are applying require it, you can register for your application with the College Scholarship Service by phone, web or mail.

Complete and mail your PROFILE as soon as you receive the form, and you will receive your PROFILE Data Confirmation Report in just a couple of weeks. Visit PROFILE Online for more information.

The bottom line in determining your aid eligibility is your Expected Family Contribution, better know as EFC. The calculation is fairly complicated and is computed by the U.S. Department of Education based on information reported on your FAFSA. The calculator will help you estimate your EFC. Use your most recent tax return to complete the information. Remember this EFC calculator is only a guide and the results may vary from the actual calculation.

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