We have now entered week 2 of FAFSA season, and my hunch is that many of you may have completed your form (or have done an EFC – Expected Family Contribution – estimator).  Once families view those estimated numbers (remember, they are not final until the completed tax information for 2010 has been entered), after everyone recovers from the shock of what the form predicts a family can afford for one year of college, the first question we tend to get is, “How can I apply for grants?” 

Well I do have some good news; the application for all federal and state grants is the FAFSA application itself.  You don’t have to worry about filling out another form in order to be considered.  In fact, in terms of federal financial aid money, your confirmation from the FAFSA form will let you know if you do qualify for any federal free money, and if so, the estimated amount you can expect to receive will be included.  Please understand that while the form is the application and everyone is considered for these programs just by completing it, there are eligibility requirements, and not everyone will receive free federal money.  However, with that being said, a student may be eligible for some institutional grant money (free money from the college) based on the FAFSA (and possibly the CSS Profile and/or the Institutional Form if they require it).  The long and short of it is that the FAFSA is the gateway to much of the free money that a student may be offered!

To review any of the federal financial aid programs (including the free money such as the Pell Grant and FSEOG Grant as well as the self-help money including the Direct Loan and work-study) visit www.studentaid.ed.gov .

File your FAFSA today!
Val