1. FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid$
FAFSA =
Free Application for Federal Student Aid

2. What is FAFSA?
The FAFSA is an application used to calculate government aid to students to minimize the price of college. It’s the most crucial step in obtaining federal aid in either grants or loans. Once completed, it will tell you how much grant money is available to you and send this info to the schools you choose.

3. Requirements No cost required Computer with an up-to-date browser
Federal Student Aid (FSA) I.D.
Separate website
Must create an account for you; a parent/guardian must also create one
IRS Information
Fill out ahead of time and or send a tax transcript
30-60 minutes
The computer requirement thing is kind of a pain in the butt (not sure about school computers)
It may take more than an hour if you’re not familiar with it, but you are able to save information as you go along
Mine took around 30 minutes after my dad filled in the IRS stuff

4. Important Tips Read thoroughly and pay close attention to detail
(i.e. mother’s/father’s highest education level)
Watch tutorials if you’re unsure
Don’t make guesses or put in false info to save time
Save info as you go along
Best to get it done ASAP
If your parent didn’t complete
This is a big one, because, say you’re on the section where you list how much money you currently have and you don’t know your bank statement, can alter how much money you get

5. After Applying Statement via mail or email with federal aid package
Colleges you list on the application will be sent a copy of your FAFSA info
The financial aid office of each school then uses it to find out how much money you can receive at that school
They’ll contact you for verification and you’ll have to provide them with documentation
Different from a school-calculated one; with schools they may have different standards and more specialized scholarship (ie NV promise)
To show them you filled out the FAFSA correctly

6. *Resources FAFSA Demo System https://fafsademo.test.ed.gov/
Practice round for the real FAFSA
Username: eddemo
Password: fafsatest
CFPB: Comparing Aid from different schools
FAFSA Overview Video
12 Trickiest Questions
Completing the FAFSA
Works like a regular FAFSA application; none of the info is saved or entered
Completing the FAFSA is really long but it has basically everything (index)

7. Submitting Times 2016 2017 Oct. 1, 2017 Oct. 1, 2018 June 30, 2019
Year for Tax Returns/Income
2016
2017
Opening
Oct. 1, 2017
Oct. 1, 2018
Due Date Close
June 30, 2019
June 30, 2020

8. June 30, 2019
Deadline for federal aid applications for seniors going straight to college this year