Applying for Aid

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Getting Information
Applying for Aid

What form do I use?

If you did not apply for federal student aid for the 1999-00 school year, you can apply for federal aid for the 2000-01 school year by completing and mailing the 2000-01 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), by applying electronically (through your school), or by using the U.S. Department of Education's new FAFSA Express software.

FAFSA Express is a free software program that allows you to apply for federal student aid from your home computer or from a computer at a central location like a high school, postsecondary school, public library, or local Educational Opportunity Center that uses FAFSA Express. FAFSA Express can be used only on a personal computer equipped with the Windows® operating system and a modem.

You can get a FAFSA from your high school or postsecondary school or from the Federal Student Aid Information Center. If you wish to apply using FAFSA Express, you can download a copy of the program from the U.S. Department of Education's World Wide Web site. The address is:

www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/express.html

You can also order FAFSA Express on diskette by calling 1-800-801-0576. If you don't have a home computer, check with your local public library, college, local Educational Opportunity Center, or your high school to find out if it has a copy of FAFSA Express for public use.

If you wish to apply electronically (through your school), you must check with your school or the school that interests you to make sure that the school has electronic application capability.

If you did apply for federal student aid for the 199-00 school year, you probably will be able to file a 2000-01 Renewal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (Renewal FAFSA). You'll either receive it at your home address or from your school. You may also be able to file a Renewal FAFSA electronically. Currently, there is no "renewal" version of FAFSA Express. If you want to apply using FAFSA Express, you must complete the entire FAFSA Express program each year regardless of how you originally applied.

If you qualify to use the Renewal FAFSA, you'll have fewer questions to answer. Most of the information on the form will be preprinted and will be the same as the information you gave in 1999-00 (plus any of your corrections that were processed). You'll only have to write in some new information and information that has changed since 1999-00 (for example, family size). Check with your financial aid administrator if you have questions about the Renewal FAFSA.

For most of the federal student aid programs, the FAFSA (or Renewal FAFSA) is the only form you need to file. To receive a Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Stafford Loan or a Direct or FFEL PLUS Loan, you will have to complete additional forms.

Remember, applying for federal student aid is FREE.

However, to be considered for nonfederal aid such as institutional aid (aid from the school), you may have to fill out additional forms and pay a processing fee. Check with your school to see which nonfederal application to fill out, if any.

Read the instructions carefully when you complete the FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA. Most mistakes are made because students don't follow instructions. Pay special attention to any questions on income, because most errors occur in this area.

When you apply, you should have certain records on hand. These records are listed on the application. You should save all records and all other materials used in completing the application because you may need them later to prove that the information you reported is correct. This process is called verification.

If verification is required, and you don't provide it, you won't receive aid from the SFA Programs, and you might not receive aid from other sources. You should make a photocopy of your application (or print out a copy of your FAFSA Express application) before you submit it. This way, you have a copy of the data you submitted for your own records. So be sure you keep all documents and that the information you report is accurate!

Special Circumstances

Although the process of determining a student's eligibility for federal student aid is basically the same for all applicants, there is some flexibility. For instance, if your financial aid administrator believes it's appropriate, based on the documentation you provided, he or she can change your status from dependent to independent.

In some cases, your financial aid administrator may adjust your cost of attendance or the information used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to take into account circumstances that might affect the amount you and your family are expected to contribute toward your education. These circumstances could include a family's unusual medical or dental expenses, or tuition expenses for children attending a private elementary or secondary school. Also, an adjustment may be made if you, your spouse, or either of your parents (if applicable) have been recently unemployed. If conditions such as these apply to you or your family, contact your financial aid administrator.

Check with your financial aid administrator if you feel you have any other special circumstances that might affect the amount you and your family are expected to contribute. But remember, there have to be very good reasons for the financial aid administrator to make any adjustments, and you'll have to provide adequate proof to support those adjustments. Also, remember that the financial aid administrator's decision is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.

Courtesy: The Financial Aid Student Guide from The U.S. Department of Education