How to Apply for College Grants

Our daughter thought they was no way she could afford college until we learned about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid hereafter termed Fafsa grants.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• computer
• social security card for student and custodial parent
• email address for student and parent
• student drivers license number
• a minimum choice of six colleges
• completed forms available online for your...
• taxable and untaxable information
• dependency document
• application
• valid credit card optional if want service provided and completed by company for you

1. Completing your dependency document is first. It doesn't matter whether you have a job, pay your own taxes, live alone or have no financial support from parents. The seven required rules to qualify for the dependency status are as follows.
2. 1. If applying for the school year 2007-2008 you must be born before 1-1-1984. If you are applying for school year 2008-2009 you must be born before 1-1-1985.
   2. married or
   3. have a child or dependant that receives more than half their support from the student and lives with the student or
   4. a graduate or doctoral student or
   5. have a choice of at least 6 different colleges
   7. the student is a veteran of the US military or orphan, or ward of the court until age 18.
   If you meet one of the seven government standards you qualify for the dependency status.
3. The next step is to have the following documents:
   1. social security card
   2. custodial parents full names, dates of birth and social security numbers
   3. An estimation of all taxable and untaxable income including savings and parental support from the previous tax term
   4. student's drivers license number
   5. a valid credit card if you want to utilize the on-line service for collecting the information, correcting the errors and forwarding on to the government for you. This is an option or you can go to the website www.fafsa.ed.gov/contact.htm and get the application form, fill it out and mail it yourself. There are two phone numbers you can call 1-800-fed-aid or 1-800-433-3243 for any questions you might have. Timing is crucial in order to be accepted for the right school year as well as for the amounts of money available. The website also has a list of frequently asked questions and answers that is valuable to use.

Tips & Warnings

• Internet resource for FAFSA as well as site above.
• File early they will even hold it for your year you desire
• This is the beginning and some specific other documentation might be necessary depending on your specific colleges and careers.