How to Apply for Financial Aid

Courtesy of ACT’s – News You Can Use

If you're a senior planning to attend a postsecondary institution next fall, January is the time to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Information from the FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid programs-grants, loans and work-study. You can work on the form during December and then send it off in January when you have the necessary income information from 2004.

If you're planning to file your FAFSA online, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov and get your personal identification number (PIN) in December so you'll be prepared to file the application in January. It's a good idea to visit the FAFSA website early so you understand the process and can collect your information ahead of time.

You can find the FAFSA:

-online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

-from your guidance counselor

-from a college financial aid office

-from a local public library

-from the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID

(1-800-433-3243)

Make sure you check financial aid deadlines! The FAFSA will list deadlines for federal and state aid.