Before filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it's important to get familiar with a few facts. Remember, the FAFSA must be completed accurately and on time if you hope to obtain federal aid. We're here to help with these 9 quick tips! (Financial aid is available to those who qualify)
1. Financial support is widely available.
Over $150 billion in financial aid money is awarded annually by the U.S. Department of Education to more than 15 million students across the country.
2. You must apply to see if you qualify for federal aid.
Remember: if you don't apply, you don't qualify. Applying doesn’t mean you automatically qualify, but you won’t know if you don’t apply. Also, the earlier you complete your FAFSA, the better.
3. The FAFSA includes all types of federal student aid.
This includes grants, loans, and work-study eligibility.
4. You’ll need to gather specific information before starting the application.
When you complete the FAFSA, you'll need the following information by your side: a FSA ID (obtained from the FAFSA website), your social security number, a driver's license (if available), tax records, records of untaxed income, information on your assets, and the names of the schools you may be attending.
5. The FAFSA should take less than 30 minutes.
The average FAFSA application doesn't even take a half hour, so pick a time and complete it!
6. Many state governments and schools use FAFSA.
It's not just the federal government using FAFSA to determine financial aid. Individual schools and state governments also reference the application to determine financial aid eligibility.
7. Don’t rely only on filing the FAFSA.
In addition to applying for federal aid, you can apply for scholarships and grants from a variety of other organizations, possibly including your school. You might qualify for state aid, military education benefits, private loans, or for an employer-sponsored education plan. You can also make monthly payments on your tuition. If you still feel your aid package isn't enough, contact your school's financial aid office and talk with them about your concerns and what options may be available to you.
8. You need the complete the FAFSA every year.
FAFSA is not a one-and-done deal. You’ll need to complete the full application for every year in which you will be attending college and requesting financial aid, and your packages may vary.
9. You can find your South University FAFSA code here.
You’ll need to know the code for your location when completing the FAFSA. Find each code by state at https://www.southuniversity.edu/Admissions/financial-aid.
