The best time to apply for financial aid for college is about two months before your school’s deadline for applying for financial aid. This is because the first step in applying for financial aid is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Since most schools have a priority deadline and a final deadline, it is best to submit your FAFSA as early as possible.
The priority deadline is the date when applications are considered first while funds are still available. Missing this deadline may result in you missing out on some funds and so it is a good idea to submit your application by this date if possible. However, keep in mind that not all schools offer priority deadlines, so check with the individual schools you plan to apply to. The final deadline is the last day that you can apply and still be eligible to receive financial aid from that school.
If you miss the priority deadline, don’t panic! You can still apply by the final deadline and still be eligible for some types of financial aid, although some of that money may already be gone depending on how much your school has available and how many students meet the priority deadline before you do. The key thing to remember here is that no matter what, there will always be some kind of financial aid available for students
The best time to apply for financial aid for college is before you graduate from high school. In the U.S., the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form to complete to apply for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs.
What You Need to Apply
Before you complete the FAFSA, make sure that you have all of the information required to fill out the form. The following list will help you get organized so you can complete your application in one sitting:
Social Security card or other valid photo ID
Driver’s license if applicable
Alien registration card or permanent resident card if not a U.S. citizen
Federal tax return, W-2s, and other records of money earned
Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
List of schools you’ve applied to (the FAFSA asks for this information so it knows where to send your information)
As the cost of college climbs, it is becoming increasingly important for families to explore all of their options when it comes to paying for school. That includes financial aid.
If you are a parent in the early stages of filling out your child’s FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, one question you may have is: When is the best time to apply? The answer depends on your circumstances, but generally speaking, the earlier you apply, the better.
The FAFSA season starts in early January and ends June 30 (for some states) or Sept. 15 (for others).
For most families, applying as soon as possible makes the most sense. The earlier you apply, the earlier you will be able to know exactly how much financial aid you are eligible for and what funds will be available to help pay for college. That information can help students and families make more informed decisions about which schools they will include on their list of schools to consider.
Early filers also can get an edge because some schools have finite resources when it comes to financial aid and scholarships and award those funds on a first-come, first-served basis.
But there are exceptions to this general rule. Families who don’t expect they will qualify for need-based
If you’re eager to receive financial aid for college, applying early is a good idea. To be considered for the most types and amounts of aid, you should apply as soon as possible. You’ll find out about your eligibility for aid more quickly if you get an early start on the process.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can be submitted beginning on New Year’s Day of each year and is due by June 30th of the same year. If that sounds too far away, know that submitting as early as possible is a good idea and here’s why:
The earlier you submit your application, the more you increase your chances of receiving aid. Some states and colleges award their own financial aid on a first-come-first-served basis, so the sooner you submit your FAFSA, the more likely it is that you are eligible for state and college-based aid. Also, if there is any additional information needed to complete your application, it will be requested sooner rather than later.
If you didn’t apply for financial aid last year or are new to this process, you may be wondering just what types of financial aid there are and which ones are best for you. There are a few different kinds of financial aid available to
The financial aid calendar begins in January. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, kicks off the year and is due on June 30.
The application is used to determine your eligibility for state, federal and school-sponsored grants, work-study programs and loans. By applying early, you increase the likelihood of having more aid options available to you.
For example, each school determines its own institutional aid budget. However, those funds are not unlimited. Therefore, if you apply before the school’s deadline, which is typically in February or March for fall enrollment, you will be more likely to get more money because there will be more funds available.
If you are a student who needs financial assistance to pay for higher education costs, start each year by submitting the FAFSA as soon as possible during the application window. If you miss that deadline or submit late, you may lose out on a range of aid options. You could also miss out on scholarships that require a FAFSA submission as part of their application process.
You can file the FAFSA online starting Jan. 1 of each year at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by phone at 1-800-433-3243 or 1-800-730-
The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the first step in applying for financial aid. While filling out the FAFSA is required to apply for federal student aid, including loans and grants, many states and schools require students to fill out the form as well to be considered for state and school-funded financial aid.
While many families assume that they will not qualify for any kind of financial aid when it comes time to pay for college, there are many types of financial aid available. A number of factors affect a family’s eligibility for financial aid, including their income and assets as well as the student’s age and whether or not he or she is a dependent. But with this in mind, it’s important to note that a majority of students do qualify for some type of financial aid.
Filling out the FAFSA is relatively straightforward, but it does take some time. To make sure you’re using your time wisely when you sit down to fill out your FAFSA, here are some things you should know before starting:
Fill Out the Form on Time
The most important thing to keep in mind when filling out the FAFSA is when it’s due. The sooner you fill out the form, the better chance you will
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the FAFSA, is a form that must be completed by all students entering college or graduate school. The information you provide on the FAFSA determines both your eligibility for federal financial aid and your financial need. Because the majority of college and graduate school students require some type of financial assistance to pay for their higher education, it’s important to understand what you need to do to apply for financial aid.
The best time to complete the FAFSA is as soon after January 1 as possible. This is because need-based financial aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Although not all grants, loans and work-study programs are funded directly by the U.S. Department of Education, most colleges and universities award their own institutional funds according to the same principle: the earlier you submit your application, the more likely you are to receive assistance.
Many college students and their families are intimidated by the thought of filling out the FAFSA. Don’t give up before you get started! It’s easy if you have all your information together ahead of time, and there are free tools to help you through it even if you don’t know what each line means. For example, CollegeBoard has a feature
