Enroll in School -> Apply for Grants -> Enjoy!
Making the grant process simple for students with financial need. Yep, it can be that easy for those who qualify to have their schooling paid for. The majority of college students stress about paying for college. So how do you get money to pay for school?
Too many students miss out on thousands of dollars worth of money for college. Stop stressing about the process and competition. Apply. You have nothing to lose!
Check out how much money is available to college students:
Source: http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=98, http://www2.ed.gov/programs/fpg/funding.html
So we're going to make this process as simple and painless as possible.
- Find schools that provide the most opportunity for you
- Learn what grants are available
- Prepare to fill out financial aid paperwork
- Fill out paperwork
Definition of Grants
The definition of "grants" is, financial assistance in the form of money that doesn't need to be paid back. In all cases, in order to receive a grant, you have to fill out a FAFSA to determine your eligibility. What are the differences between grants, scholarships, and loans?
Teacher Education Assistance For College and higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Federal Pell Grants
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant
Career Specific Grants
College-Based Grants
Student Specific Grants
Unique Grants
State Sponsored Grants
Grants by Degree Level
For those parts of the application that make no sense, these should give you a better idea of what all the crazy financial aid acronyms mean:
FAFSA = (Free Application For Student Aid)
FSA = (Federal Student Aid)
EFC = (Expected Family Contribution)
FPL = (Federal Perkins Loan Program)
FSEOG = (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants)
FWS = (Federal Work Study)
PLUS = (Parent Loans For Undergraduate Students)
COA = (Cost of Attendance)
FFEL = (Federal Family Education Loan)
LEAP = (Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership)
SSIG = (State Student Incentive Grant)
CPS = (Central Processing System)
SAR = (Student Aid Report)
ACG = (Academic Competitiveness Grant)
SMART = (National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant)
TEACH = (Teacher Education Assistance For College and Higher Education Grant)
To be eligible to receive financial aid, you have to be enrolled in an accredited school. This also requires that you either have a high school diploma or a GED.
Need your GED?
Fill out our form to speak with an academic advisor about GED programs. If you are already enrolled in an accredited school, go to Step 2 to prepare to fill out your FAFSA application.
Not enrolled?
Speak to an education advisor about finding the best accredited school and program for you by filling out our form to the right.
Can online students receive financial aid?
Yes! Check out the top online colleges that received the most federal Pell Grant funding in the 2008-2009 school year.
Source: http://chronicle.com/article/Data-Points-For-Profit/63388
Why choose an accredited school?
Financial aid is only awarded to students enrolled in an accredited school. Let us help you find an accredited school, fill out the form to the right.
Everything you'll need to know to fill out your FAFSA form online.
Before starting your FAFSA application, be sure to fill out the worksheet. The worksheet will help you organize all the needed information in one place.
Application
Here are the questions and sections you can expect on your FAFSA application:
1. Student Demographics
General Personal Information:
Determine your eligibility for financial aid:
- Are you a U.S. Citizen or National? If you are not either of these, you are ineligible for funds.
- Do you have a high school diploma or GED? One of these is required to qualify for financial aid.
- What is your year in school? Your year in school doesn't make you ineligible for financial aid but it does determine the amount of money you are eligible to receive.
- Have you been convicted of a drug offense? If you have been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs during the time for which you are applying for financial aid, you are not eligible to receive funds. Don't count convictions removed from your record or convictions before turning 18, unless tried as an adult. Our suggestion: don't do illegal drugs.
2. School Selection
You can select up to ten colleges. You have to provide the school code for each school selected. Don't worry; there is a tool in the FAFSA application to help you figure out each of your schools' codes.
Housing
What are your housing plans?
Will you be living on or off campus?
Will you be living with your parent/s?
Enrollment
Will you be full- or part-time?
3. Dependency Status
Questions:
- Were you born before January 1, 1987?
- Are you married?
- Do you have any dependents?
- Are you in the military?
- Are you Homeless?
Answered "no" to all Q's?
Considered a dependent of your parents. You will need to provide their demographic and financial information.
Answered "yes" to any Q's?
Considered an independent and will need to provide financial information for only yourself.
4. Parent Demographics
Independent?
If you are independent then you don't need to fill out this section of the form. Skip to Section 5.
Dependent?
If you are a dependent then you may want your parents with you to fill out this section.
Needed Information:
- Names of parents and marital status
- Parents' Social Security Numbers
- General Information (refer to Section 1)
5. Financial Information
Independent?
If you are an independent then provide your personal financial information.
Dependent?
If you are a dependent then provide your parents' and your personal financial information.
Necessary Financial Information:
- Tax return of previous year
- Gross Income
- Amount of Taxes
- Exemptions Claimed
- Grants and Scholarships
- Investments
6. Sign & Submit
Requirements:
- Your Social Security Number
- Your PIN # - assigned before beginning your FAFSA
- Parents' PIN # (only if you are a dependent)
Click "submit" and you're ready to go!
7. Confirmation
You will receive an e-mail from your school's financial aid office. Continue to monitor the progress of your application by keeping in close communication with your financial aid advisor.
Now that you're prepared with all the information you need for your FAFSA application, fill it out the form by clicking here
Click here to view the FAFSA deadlines
Be sure to fill out a FAFSA each academic year you have financial need.
If you are still unsure of your eligibility or if grants are a good option for you, fill out our form to the right to speak with an academic advisor.
How long does it take to fill out the FAFSA application?
If you are prepared with all of the information found in Step 2, it should take no longer than 30 minutes. Make sure you have all the information you need before you start your application to make it as quick and easy as possible.
Submit your FAFSA
Work with your school's financial aid advisors
Most FAFSA information comes through your school, each of which has certain requirements that must be met after your FAFSA has been submitted and before you can get your results. Make sure you know what those requirements are to make the process as fast as possible.
What if I don't receive a grant?
Main reasons for grant denial:
- You do not meet the financial requirements
- You are not enrolled at least half-time at an accredited school
- You are not a US citizen
- There are criminal charges on your record
No worries! You still have options. Loans are a great help to many students. Unlike grants, loans have to be repaid. Talk to your financial advisor to see which loan would be best for you.
Once your school receives your grant money, they will notify you. Enjoy!
How much can I get?
The amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), your year in school, your enrollment status, and your school's attendance cost. Your school's financial aid office will have more information about how much money you can receive.
Why should I fill out a FAFSA if I know I won't qualify for a grant?
FAFSA is not just for students who want to receive grants. You can find out if you are eligible for scholarships, loans, and federal work study by filling out a FAFSA. You never know, you could get lucky!
Do I have to fill out a new FAFSA application every school year?
Yes. This is a benefit for you because your financial situation could change year to year. Filling out the FAFSA will make the allocation of government funds as accurate as possible. And after you fill it out once, you'll be a pro.
Can I receive a Pell Grant if my account is paid in full?
Yes. You can receive a grant even if your account is paid in full out of your own pocket.
Do I have to use my parents' financial information on my FAFSA if they don't claim me on their tax return?
Yes. As shown in Step 2, you are considered a dependent of your parents until you are older than 24, married, in the military, etc.
Can I receive financial aid if I have previously received it?
Yes!
Can I receive a Pell Grant no matter what my degree is?
Pell Grants are used mainly for undergraduate degrees. There are other specific degree level grants as shown on this page. Whatever degree you choose, make sure you enroll at an accredited university so you can be eligible to receive financial aid.
Is there an application fee?
No! FAFSA stands for FREE Application For Federal Student Aid.
Can I be awarded more money than just the cost of my tuition?
It is possible to receive a surplus. However, it is highly recommended that if you have a surplus, you use it for educational purposes such as housing and books. If you use it for other personal expenses, you may be required to file those expenses on your taxes, because the surplus is then looked at as income.
Funding Education Book
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/Funding_Education_Beyond_HS_2010-11.pdf
MyFSA
http://www.studentaid2.ed.gov/xap_pack/Default.asp
FAFSA
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
FAFSA4Caster
http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/F4CApp/index/index.jsf
College.gov
http://www.college.gov/wps/portal
Completing the FAFSA
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/index.html
If you are a member of the U.S. Military, you are eligible to receive financial aid of all types. You are automatically considered an independent and can receive financial aid from more sources than normal applicants.
If your parent or guardian died as a result of service carried out in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, you can receive a grant equal to the maximum Pell Grant given to FAFSA applicants. Speak to a financial advisor about what special grants you may be eligible for.
so that you can choose the right school
ClassesandCareers.com is a division/subsidiary of One on One Marketing, Inc.