Applying for federal financial aid for college is simply a must. Even for students who think they will not qualify for any type of federal financial aid, you really do not know for certain until you apply. The reality is, many student who would qualify for some form of financial aid, do not receive these funds for college because they fail to file a FAFSA. Sure, filing a FAFSA takes a bit of time, and is probably not at the top of your list for things you would like to be doing, but filing a FAFSA is completely free, and let’s face it, it could end up saving you some serious cash.
FAFSA Timeline: The first rule of FAFSA is never talk about FAFSA (sorry, we couldn’t resist). Okay back to the serious stuff, the first rule of FAFSA is apply as early as you can! Anytime after January 1st you can began to file FAFSA, and applying as early as possible will ensure that you receive all the federal financial aid you are eligible for. To learn how to maximize your federal financial aid eligibility click here.
FAFSA Timeline: January – April (general)
You must complete a FAFSA for each year that you attend school. The federal government accepts and processes FAFSA into the summer months, but the college/university you attended (or plan to attend) will typically have a more aggresive timeline. You MUST contact your schools financial aid department to make sure you understand your specific schools deadlines, and also to make sure they do not require additional forms.
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