FAQs: Discover Your Opportunities
Have more questions? Additional frequently asked questions are available
in the FAFSA FAQs section of FAFSA on the Web.
Am I eligible for student aid?
The Department of Education uses the information provided on your FAFSA
to determine your eligibility for aid from the Federal Student Aid (FSA)
programs described below. Many states and schools also use the FAFSA to
award aid from their programs. Some states and schools may require you to
fill out additional forms.
Some of the requirements to receive aid from the Federal Student Aid programs are
that you must:
- be a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States with a valid
Social Security Number;
- have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED)
certificate or pass an approved "ability to benefit" test;
- enroll in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree
or certificate;
- register (or have registered) for Selective
Service, if you are a male between the ages of 18-25; and
- have a result of Eligible or Partially Eligible on Question 31.
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How do I apply for aid?
Completing the FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process.
It will take us 7 days to process your form and send you a Student Aid
Report (SAR) once we have received all required signatures. Your
SAR will summarize the data you report on your application. Check this
information carefully to make sure it is accurate. Keep a copy of your
SAR and note your Data Release Number (DRN) in the bottom left hand corner
of the first page; you will need your DRN if you decide to apply to additional
schools. If your FAFSA information is complete, an Expected Family Contribution
(EFC) will be printed in the upper-right hand corner. Your EFC will be
based on the financial information you provide on the FAFSA, and your
school will use it to award your financial aid.
For additional help filling out the FAFSA, you can go to our Completing
the FAFSA Web site at
studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/index.html.
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What are the FSA programs?
Your financial aid package is likely to include funds from the Federal Student
Aid (FSA) programs. Note that not all schools participate in all FSA programs.
These programs, described below, are administered by the U.S. Department
of Education and provide over $33 billion a year to students attending postsecondary
schools:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Stafford Loans
- Federal PLUS Loans
- Campus-Based Programs
For more information about federal student aid, you can explore the Department
of Education's Web site at www.studentaid.ed.gov.
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How will I receive my financial aid?
The school to which you are applying will prepare a financial aid package
to help meet your financial need. Financial need is the difference
between your school's cost of attendance (including living expenses),
as calculated by your school, and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
The amount of your financial aid award depends on whether you are a full-time
or part-time student and whether you attend school for a full academic year
or less. If you believe that you have special circumstances that should
be taken into account, such as unusual medical or dental expenses or a significant
change in income from one year to the next, contact the financial aid administrator
at the school to which you are applying.
Aid from the FSA programs will be paid to you through your school. The
school will notify you of your aid package by sending you an award letter.
Your aid awards will likely be disbursed each semester, quarter, or other
payment period. Typically, your school will first use the aid to pay tuition
and fee charges and room and board, if provided by the school. The remainder
will be paid to you for your other expenses.
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Am I eligible for other education benefits?
There are two educational income tax credits that can reduce your or your
family's federal taxes. They are based on your school tuition and fee
charges. The Hope tax credit can be claimed during the first two years
of school, up to a maximum of $1,500 per year. The Lifetime Learning
tax credit is available for any level of postsecondary study, up to a
current maximum of $2,000 per year. Note that only one type of credit
(Hope or Lifetime Learning) may be claimed for a student in any given
year. For more information about tax credits, you can visit the IRS web
site at www.irs.gov.
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Where can I find more information?
The financial aid office at the school you plan to attend is the best place
to begin your search for information. The financial aid administrator can
tell you about student aid available from your state, the school itself,
and other sources. The school is required to inform you of its aid procedures
and deadlines, and how and when you will receive your aid award. Be sure
that you have read and understood each school's satisfactory academic progress
policy and keep copies of your enrollment agreement, the school's catalog,
and all financial aid documents (especially loan documents) you receive.
You can also find information about federal, state, school, and
private student aid in your local library's reference section (usually listed
under "student aid" or "financial aid"). Student aid information may also
be available from foundations, religious organizations, community organizations,
and civic groups, as well as organizations related to your field of interest,
such as the American Medical Association or American Bar Association. Check
with your parents' employers or unions to see if they award scholarships
or have tuition payment plans.
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