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fafsa
I filled out a FAFSA & everything, and I've already applied to a college. Its a two year community college, and after that I plan on going to a 4-year university. Tomorrow I go for Freshman Orientation & I start on August 20. But I was wondering how in the world do you get money for college through FAFSA? They keep saying on the website that I'm eligible for this and that, but it doesn't tell me how to get it or apply for it.
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WEll, first of all, I hope you are applying at the right time. If you just filled out a FAFSA for this fall semester, 2007, I think you are too late. Mostly all of the free money has been given out. And it is too early to fill out the FAFSA for the Fall of 2008. The best time to fill out the FAFSA is in January or February of the year you are starting college. Yes that early, for the fall semester. AND PLEASE Apply every year, whether you get money this year or not, keep applying. YOu won't get that much going to a community college. You'll get more when you switch to the four year college. Each college has their own financial aid dollars too, and they have their own forms. If your college has a website then maybe you can download the applications for their own financial aid. If not, contact the financial aid department for the community college and get the forms mail to you. Fill the out ASAP and send them in.
FAFSA will only tell the college how much they are giving you. The college will notify you. If it is your first year, some college will wait for the FAFS award before they make you pay. Some will not. BEing your first year, don't count on the money coming in on time. See if the college will wait for the award before they charge you.
Contact the financial aid office for that.
And don't forget, next year apply as soon as you can for the Fall of 2008. Apply in Jan or Feb of 2008. Also remember, whatever the award amount is, they will give you one half for the fall semester an one half for the spring semester which begins in January. And when I say give you, I mean they give in to the school on your behalf. If there is any money left over after they apply the funds to your school expenses then they send it to you.
Also, you may be offered student loans also. You are allowed to apply for up to $4,500 per year, in government guaranteed loans. If you have good credit, you may be able to apply for more, if you need it, but the bank will want personal guarantees. They also have things called parent loans. Good luck to you. I am glad that you are going to college.
Michele
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