How to Get Financial Aid for College in a Timely Manner

Applying for college financial aid takes a l-o-n-g time. Here's how to make that wait a little shorter.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Access to the internet
• Parents' and your tax returns for the year you're applying (i.e., if you're applying for the 2008-09 school year, you'll need your 2007 tax returns)
• PIN numbers for the FAFSA website (if you don't have one, you'll need to get one for yourself and for one parent)

1. Apply early for federal assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You'll need your previous year's tax return (and your parents' returns, if you're under 24, unmarried, childless, and not a veteran, orphan, or ward of the court.) If you can't get the return, talk to the financial aid office where you're applying. The FAFSA early registration deadline is March 1st, so you need to apply soon. You'll also need to apply for a PIN number (and obtain one for one parent as well.)

2. Once the financial aid office has received your application, they will either mail you a packet of forms, or send you an email with the forms attached. You will need to complete and return the forms as soon as possible. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE FORMS VERY CAREFULLY AND ANSWER EACH QUESTION. I can't stress this enough. Look at both sides of the pages and make sure you obtain parental signatures where required. If the financial aid office needs tax returns, make sure you and your parents have signed where necessary. Submit all forms back to the office. If you have a question about the forms, call the office or visit in person.

3. Be prepared to pay for all of your expenses upfront. The financial aid process usually takes a very long time--up to several months. The sooner you get your forms in, the sooner you'll get that award letter. When you receive an award letter, if your school mails checks, they generally go out around the end of the first week of school.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask about assistance while you're waiting for your federal financial aid--fee waivers, lending libraries for books, jobs on campus, scholarships, other assistance programs, etc.
• Ask your financial aid office about "special circumstances," if your parents or your income this year differs from last year. You can ask the financial aid officer to consider your eligibility based on the current year rather than the prior year.
• If you visit the financial aid office at the beginning of the semester, be patient--each student receives individual attention and everyone's case is a little different.
• DON'T get federal assistance and then withdraw from all of your classes. Or, if you must withdraw, don't cash your financial aid check. You will go on a list and will not be eligible for financial aid at any other campus until you pay back what you've received.
• DON'T get huffy, rude, roll your eyes, or use nasty language. This is generally a sure-fire method to ensure your file will be moved to the back of the line. Plus, you will get a name for being a difficult student and no one will go out of their way to help you. If you get frustrated, exasperated, or feel desperate, ask to make an appointment with a supervisor or counselor. If you don't get assistance from the supervisor, speak with the dean of student services.
• DON'T tolerate rudeness or nastiness from the office people, either. If you feel you are being treated with disrespect, again, ask to speak to a supervisor.

Resources

• Official site for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid