How to Organize a Financial Aid Binder
Keeping track of financial aid information is tedious, and losing a single sheet of paper can result in the loss of thousands of dollars worth of financial aid. Organizing a binder with all your financial aid information will keep all the necessary paperwork together and will reduce your stress when meeting with a financial aid officer at your school. If you show up prepared and with all required paperwork, the chances are good that you'll walk out of the office with your completed financial aid package.
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Things You'll Need
- 2- or 3-inch binder
- Tabbed dividers
- Pencil pouch (optional)
- 3-ring binder calendar
Instructions
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Place two dividers plus one divider for each school you're considering into a 2-inch binder. If you're considering a large number of schools, use a 3-inch binder instead.
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Label the first divider “FAFSA" and the second divider “Independent Scholarship Information. Devote the remaining dividers to schools you're considering attending. Put the school dividers in order of importance to you.
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Place any communication you receive from the Department of Education in regards to the FAFSA behind the first divider. Make copies of any forms you use to help you complete the FAFSA, and file them behind the first divider also.
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Place information and correspondence regarding independent scholarships behind the second divider. Place a pencil pouch behind the second divider to keep confirmation receipts from the post office if you're applying for multiple scholarships through the mail.
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Put school-specific paperwork behind their corresponding school dividers. Make copies of school financial aid applications, and keep them behind their specific divider in case a form goes missing at the school. Keep copies of paperwork used to complete the applications behind each divider.
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Keep a 3-ring binder calendar in the front of your binder to note scholarship application due dates along with other important dates regarding your financial aid. Update the calendar often, and check it daily.
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Tips & Warnings
Once your school decision and financial aid is finalized, toss your old records except for promissory notes, truth in lending statements, and current statements from lenders.
