If you haven’t yet completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), there is probably some time left for most states and colleges! While some extremely selective schools might have a priority FAFSA deadline as early as February 1st, most of them will consider federal financial aid applications that are filed later in the year.

What you’ll need

To get started with your application, you’ll need your tax information from the previous year and a student identification PIN.  If this is your first time applying, you won’t have your PIN yet so be sure to head here to register that first.  Then, make sure all of your tax forms have been double and triple checked & have them on hand to answer questions about income and assets on the FAFSA.  There really isn’t that much more to it, thanks to recent efforts designed to simplify and speed up the application process.

What you get

Is a chance to be considered for federal financial aid – the biggest source of free money for college students in the United States.  Every year, more than $100 billion is provided to students with unment financial need, just through the FAFSA and its related programs!  Even if you or your family makes too much money to be considered for grants, it is still a good idea to complete the application because other scholarships, grants, and institutional aid awards will also want to consider the information contained in it.  They might give more consideration to grades, but still want to take a look at the FAFSA.

Where to go

When you’ve got your PIN and tax documents gathered up, click over to the FAFSA website at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.  You’ll be able to complete everything online with just a few clicks and a few forms, so there really is no reason to delay!

Remember:

Each school and each state has its own deadlines for filing the FAFSA.  Sooner is always better, so as quickly as you can get your 2010 taxes done, it is time to take the next step and complete your FAFSA for the 2011-2012 academic year.  Many colleges and departments provide funds on a first-come first-serve basis, so if you wait too long there might just not be any money left, and the sooner you get these applications out, the better your chances of finding some free cash!

11 Responses to “There’s still time to apply for financial aid in 2011”

  1. FAFSA was done early but had to make corrections since the taxes weren’t done until last week. I had a little trouble figuring out what corrects I needed to make so I tried to link my FAFSA to the IRS but it was a little too soon I think since it wouldn’t match up and I ended up doing it manually. I think I got it all right but would like to try and do the link just to be on the safe side.

  2. sourth altaf hussain
    March 19th, 2011 at 11:09 am

    i want to get admission in medical college on scholarship in cuba

  3. I need your help to learn MSc on those departments that are related with Veterinary Medicine if any or i am volunteer on any departments that i can learn this second degree. So please help me to be successful then i give service kindly for your organization.

  4. carolyne wanjiru
    May 6th, 2011 at 4:41 am

    i am a student in Multimedia University college of Kenya and i would appreciate to benefit from your organization in the paying of my school fees.i am currently pursuing a Diploma in Mass Communication.God bless you as you surport

  5. I would like to study MBA.My dad was a bankrupt .He can’t support my dream.I am now waiting my BSc mathematics result.my family leading very pathegenic condition.please help me …
    Geenus Shibu,Silent street,
    PO Kuriachira , Thrissur district
    Kerala state , country:India
    pin code:680006

  6. Dear sir, i’m David from India wants to study MBBS in China. But my parent’s can’t bear the cost, so i need financial aid. So please guide me quickly as the admission procedure is about to finished.

  7. Asslamoalikum Sir i am Neelma from thatta city of pakistan,, Sir actuly i hve finalized 2nd year p.engg nd wants 2 study more though i belong with poor family, my papa cant bear the burdn of my sudy,, i live in urbn area.. Sir actuly here is a uni namly Meharn of engg bc it is nt very costly.. i wanted to take admisn there last year bt unfortuntly there r only 2 seats 4 urbn area of thatta distrct… nd i got 4th positn,,, nd cud nt b slct.. Sir i want study so plz help me if posible,,,,,,

  8. hello sir i am from lahore pakistan …i am b.com i want to start study of ACCA in uk canada. but i am not financial strong…. my father is not able to pay my fees therefore plz provide me financial support thnx

  9. Dear sir/madam

    I am writing to you in desperation, My son has just finished his first year in Stellamann college Bedford and is hoping to continue next year, but i am finding it so very hard to find funding to help him to for fill his dream to become a performer, he has always been my rock since he was small as i have been ill, but he went to college to graduate last year with 7 distinctions in university. despite his dedication in the care of looking after me and his younger sister he continued to succeed in his education. we have tried to get a career development loan but unsuccessful due to not having a credit rating.
    why i am writing is to ask if you know of any funding that i maybe able to apply for, as i am a one parents family with a low income.
    hope you can help.

  10. kassahun gebremedhin
    November 25th, 2011 at 1:52 am

    I am kassahun gebremedhin from Ethiopia with age 25…I have B.Sc degree in meteorological science from Arba-Minch university work in southern region natural resource and environmental protection author at Ethiopia as climatologist….now student of master of science in Climate change and development at Arba-minch university of Ethiopia but am in risk due to tuition fee shortage and to do thesis its total amount is t $2000 USA dollar please,by doing this come my dream true also help my country thanks for all yours help.

    Sincerely your kassahun gebremedhin

  11. Respectable sir
    I am student of VII th class belong to poor family kindly grant me scholarship i am leaving in village not source os more incom thanks

    Neelam Tufail
    Student in VII th class at Govt: Grils Middle School Haberi Taluka Kazi Ahmed District Shaheed Benazirabad Sindh Pakistan

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