Financing Your College Education

Financing a college education without a large bank account, wealthy parents, or superstar athlete abilities can seem an overwhelming task considering the enormous costs associated with attending even the smallest of institutions. When money, and not academic ability, is the only obstacle between you and the education needed to reach your goals, the future can seem very bleak indeed. Well, college-bound friends, fear no more! For everyone seeking to further their education, whether fresh out of high-school or ten years after the first Bachelor's, Financial Aid funding, either in part or in full, is available and waiting for you. All it takes is a little research combined with motivation and patience. This Two-Step Guide, written from years of experience working the Financial Aid system, will help you understand the process and get the ball rolling. Applying for Student Financial Aid is, by no means, an simple task but the end result could mean a life's dream is only two to four (or maybe a few more) years away!

1.Fill Out the FAFSA!
Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA), is the single most important step in your college financing game plan. This application, provided by the U.S. Department of Education, is available online at FAFSA on the Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov) and it is absolutely free. Schools will use the information you provide on the FAFSA to determine if you qualify to receive federal student aid from grants, loans, and work study programs. While not all questions will apply to your individual situation, the ones that do will be very specific relevant to the school or schools to which you have applied, your intended Degree, and your current financial status and living situation. Read each question carefully and be as accurate as possible when answering. If you were employed within the prior year, be prepared to give the most recent figures from either your tax returns or last pay stub. If there are others living in your household, be prepared to give their information as well.