FAFSA Application Process
By: echo_promotions | Posted: 24th July 2007
A FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, must be filled out when you are applying for government grants and most government loans (such as the Stafford or Perkins). Schools use student's FAFSA information to decide if they are eligible to receive federal aid.
A FAFSA can be found on the internet or through your financial aid office. This article will explain the electronic application process.
Completing a FAFSA online is free, fast, and easy.
Before You Start Your FAFSA:
The first thing that you will need to do before filling out a FAFSA is to obtain a PIN (Personal Identification Number.) You can get a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. Your parents will also need a PIN if you are a dependent.
Your PIN will be used to electronically sign your FAFSA, review and correct your electronic Student Aid Report (SAR), reapply for student aid each year, and view information about your federal loans and grants.
You will need to have some documents handy to refer to as you fill out your FAFSA. These documents are: your Social Security card, driver's license, previous years W-2 form and any additional records of money earned, previous years Federal Income Tax Return, and your parents' Federal Income Tax return from last year. You will also need your untaxed income records (social security, temporary assistance to needy families, welfare, or veteran's benefits) from the previous year, current bank statements, and current business and investment information.
Completing A FAFSA:
Once you have received your PIN and the needed documents, you may start filling out a FAFSA.
1. Go to FAFSA.ed.gov and click on �Filling Out a FAFSA� (it's step #2 on the left side of the screen.) Follow the instructions and then use your PIN to sign before you begin filling out the application. If for some reason you don't have a PIN, you can print, sign, and mail in a signature page.
2. Follow the instructions to fill out the application.
3. Examine your answers very carefully, you won't want to make any mistakes.
4. Click the "Submit my FAFSA Now" button once you have completed the entire application.
Clicking this button brings you to a page with your confirmation number and an estimated loan or grant amount. You will want to print this page and keep it somewhere safe.
Follow-Up:
When you are done with the FAFSA you will receive a follow-up letter. If you gave them an email address, they will send you an email in about five days, if not, you'll receive a letter in the mail in about two weeks. This email/letter will give provide you with a link to your electronic Student Aid Report (SAR). Check your SAR very cautiously to make certain your answers are correct.
NOTE: Use of this article requires links to be intact.
To learn more about Federal Student Aid please visit our Federal Student Loans page. A college student herself, Elise Fisher loves writing articles for her website About-Student-Loans.com.
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Tags: mail, bank statements, government loans, federal income tax, free application for federal student aid, federal student aid, application process, social security card, previous years, income tax return, personal identification number, federal income tax return, federal loans, student aid report