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f you ever have a question about your FAFSA forms, please don't hesitate to reach out via our contact page or give us a call! Our college planning specialists can handle all the headaches of FAFSA and TAP and any other college financial forms so that you can rest assured that you haven't made any mistakes or prevented your son or daughter from getting the financial aid they deserve. It's summer, so there's still time to prepare, but we figured it's a good time for a quick refresh on FAFSA and what you need to know!
What is the FAFSA?
Check back through our blog for more content on FAFSA! FAFSA is a form used to determine a student's eligibility for financial aid. Colleges and the federal government will use this application to have an idea of how your complete aid package looks when it's all said and done. Completing the form, understanding the form, and knowing all the in's and out's of the form are NOT EASY. That's why we provide it as a service for families of WNY.
How Soon Should I Fill out the FAFSA Forms?
ASAP! We recommend filling out your FAFSA as soon as possible. The earlier the better, and certain forms of aid have a limited pool of resources available, so waiting could cost you $$$. Loans are always going to be available, but know that those need to be paid back! If you had your eye on receiving any grants or potential scholarship funds, it's best to get your FAFSA in quick, or you could miss out. Many families incorrectly assume that they "make too much" to qualify for free money, and that's just not the case. Get in touch with us if you have any questions!
Does FAFSA Impact College or State Aid?
Definitely! Keep in mind that many states and colleges have deadlines to qualify for aid that could differ from the federal deadline. You could try reaching out to your financial aid office at a prospective school but be advised you may end up waiting to hear back as these employees have a long list of students to help. You may also be required by a school to provide a College Scholarship Service Profile or CSSP. These may require some additional information, but luckily if you work with Send Your Kids to College we can handle all of that for you included in a one-time $79 fee, which goes to fund our Young Achiever's Scholarship fund!
How Can I Get More Money for College?
Having a good plan in place can help, but many times once it becomes time to figure out how a family is going to pay for a student's education, it's too late. Many students and parents become frustrated with the entire process of seeking funding and financial aid forms, and end up taking out huge loans with interest that begin eating your income as soon as you graduate. Knowing your options can help, and ensuring all of your FAFSA, TAP, and CSS profile are what aid providers are looking for can allow you to know you did everything possible to lower that final bill.
Once again, feel free to give us a call to talk to Jeff Boron today about planning for college, and stay tuned to the blog for more tips on FAFSA and college planning! You can also learn more by checking out our podcast!