Hey, guys!  We've discussed it before, and if you take a spin around Google, you will see that the talk around the internet focuses on the best ways to obtain college money.  There's good reason for this, you know.  For one, we are smack in the middle of financial aid season, which means that money is on the brains of everyone concerned about college.  More importantly, perhaps, is the fact that higher education is hard on the wallet--higher tuition, cuts in some aid programs; these all affect what students become responsible for in funding their education.

Back in December we talked about how some schools are decreasing the amount of money that families must contribute to university.  The great news is that even more initiatives have been brought to public attention, and should greatly help students and their families in attaining or saving college money.

1.  Guaranteed Tuition.

Maybe you've already been in school a few years, and have seen your college costs fluctuate.  It's true--tuition is mostly on the rise.  The idea behind guaranteed tuition is to eliminate this increase, and to make things easier for students.  Such new programs are promising students that the tuition they start with in year 1 will be the very same amount until the day they grab that diploma (Note: typically applies to standard 4-year course of study).  Schools that have adopted such a policy include:

• Eastern Illinois University
• University of Texas at Dallas & UT-Austin
• University of Colorado Boulder
• Augusta State University

Remember that in some cases, locked tuition rates apply only to in-state residents, however schools like University of Colorado Boulder have designated their program specifically to help the out-of-staters.  Other bonuses exist with programs such as that for Texas, which bills for up to 15 credits only and gives any additional (say you're taking an 18-credit semester) for free.

Housing Discounts.

In either case, be it on-campus living or off-campus apartments, living near school has become more affordable to students.  Many  apartment complexes offer student discounts, such as those near Macon State College in Georgia.  For discount consideration, students need only to present a college ID.

Another way of reducing housing costs has been implemented at Cleveland State University.  Here, the school is essentially providing scholarship money to be applied toward housing.  They call it their Freshman Scholars Program, and students maintaining 3.0+ GPAs who live on campus are eligible to receive up to $5,100 (approximately what one would spend annually on housing anyway).

We know that families are constantly on the hunt for better ways to deal with financing college.  The natural starting point is to look for various loans and grants, and sometimes scholarships.  But isn't it a comfort to know that there is more out there?  College teaches you to think outside of the box--so why not do that when you think of funding such an education?

Go Financial Aid is always here to help you in your search for financial aid.  Stop by our solutions center to learn how we can best serve you.

Ho-ho-hope Santa was good to all of you a few days ago!  With the holidays coming to a close and all of the generosity winding down, some of you are probably thinking about money and finances more.  Perhaps unfortunately, you are now concerned about school finances as well–FAFSA time is just around the corner after all.  Rest assured that there is always a way to increase financial aid–for you or your child.

There are the classic aid sources–loans, scholarships, grants.  Closely related to the latter two are school endowments.  Let’s talk about that for a moment.  Endowments are monies donated to individual universities by distinguished community members, philanthropists, and quite often by university alumni wishing to give back to their alma mater.  Many schools have these, including the following:

• KIPP at Duke: Created just this month, this brand-new endowment to Duke University has been gifted by Bruce and Martha Karsh.  Of his 50-million-dollar endowment Karsh says, “It makes a crucial difference to the individual recipients and enhances the intellectual and cultural diversity of the university community.”  The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) is a network of college-prep high schools across the nation, headed by the Karshes, and this endowment will provide tuition assistance for KIPP graduate now attending Duke.  The funds are split between various areas, including the couple’s already-established scholarship fund, and provide $30 million for U.S. students and $20 million for international students.
• Yasuko Hino Grate Endowment: Launched in the summer of 2011, this endowment to Seattle Pacific University by Yasuko Grate is aimed at providing funds to international students at SPU holding an F-1 student visa and maintaining a 3.0 GPA.
• Endowments for Excellence at Notre Dame: Various endowments have been made to this larger program at Notre Dame University, including the Lucille and Paul O’Brien Endowment for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, endowments for Excellence in support of Campus Ministry and for international study programs.  These endowments are designated to  specific academic “schools,” departments, or a particular area of the University.  Individual endowment amounts range from $100,000 to $5,000,000.

Something to remember about this type of fund source is that it is often designed to be self-generating after the initial investment.  Once a donor gives their financial gift to a school, the monies are split up amongst various areas (scholarships, academic departments, professors) and remaining funds are reinvested so that the fund is replenished for future use.  This form of financial is especially important in the current economy, where schools are reliant on gifts to increase financial aid and continue operating at their best.

Many colleges and universities have endowments.  The best way to find out more about your specific institution is to do your homework.  Not everyone likes to run to an office to ask such things, so take a look around the school website in order to see what funds are available.  Those of you who prefer to have the one-on-one discussion, or even someone who would like clarification, you are encouraged to speak with university financial advisers or even fundraising/university gift personnel.

More questions?  Have a different financial aid concern?  Get in touch with a financial aid consultant today for great solutions!

Hey!  Tonight let’s continue our financial aid discussion with a talk about scholarships and grants.   These are absolutely awesome aid types because you don’t owe anything later.  We in the financial aid biz call this gift aid. All-aboard the free money train.

Some scholarships…

Scholarship money is provided by schools (ask your financial aid office) and organizations of all kinds.  Scholarships are very competitive because there are thousands of students grabbing for one scholarship check.  In all, there are countless scholarships to be won, but it’s a rat race and you have to shine your brightest when applying.  Highlight you best skills, achievements and traits to give yourself the best shot possible.

• Sallie Mae Scholarships.  Sallie Mae is government-affiliated funding.  Many scholarships are awarded, and winners are chosen at random.  Amounts range from the $100s to a full ride.  Recipients must be U.S. citizens attending undergraduate schools.
• The Christopher Reeve Award.  This scholarship, sponsored by the Heart of America Foundation promoting children’s literacy, awards outstanding youths.  Middle school and high school students who are active in community volunteerism and have proven compassion and courage are recognized for their selfless acts.  Each year one recipient is awarded $1,000 for their future college pursuits.
• WikiAnswers Scholarship.  Answers.com has launched its $20,000 Answers.com Scholarship Fund this year to provide funds to outstanding students.  With a grand total of $20,000, the site is now offering one $5,000 scholarship, two $2,500 scholarships and 10 $1,000 scholarships to Answers.com junkies who have responded to no less than 50 questions on its Wiki site.  Applicants must plan to attend an undergraduate program for the next academic year, and will be judged based on the accuracy and usefulness of solutions they provide to their selected 50 questions.

And grants…

Grants are applied for via FAFSA (federal grants) or are provided by outside organizations.

• Federal Pell Grant.  The requirements for the grant are pretty minimal and straightforward, one being that you must attend a participating university.  The Pell Grant is based mostly on your level of financial need.  Students are reminded to study diligently, though, because the grant can be revoked due to poor academic performance.  Funds are sent to either the school or directly to the student.  For a more in-depth look, take a look at Pell Grant Eligibility.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).  The same basic requirements factor into the FSEOG.  In contrast, however, this grant is reserved for students with exceptional financial need.  The FSEOG encourages lower income individuals to pursue college, providing funds to students with a low Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
• Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Grant (OVR).  Pittsburgh students may be able to take advantage of this opportunity with the help of their college.  OVR exists to help students and professionals find jobs and get educational assistance in college (i.e. special accommodations, extended and/or private test taking, etc.).  OVR helps college students who have legitimate medical or personal difficulties by supplying $2,000 per semester grants.

Free financial aid is probably the best kind.  Scholarships and grants leave need to worry about owing money later, just pure financial assistance.  Scholarships, while competitive, are available in every area imaginable and in varying amounts.  Grants are often thought of in terms of government aid, but are also sponsored by organizations.  You can’t go wrong.  If you had any worries about financial aid, hopefully we’ve offered some comfort.  If you’re still uneasy, check out our solutions for more help.

Hey guys!  Usually there would be an earlier post to read that starts by wishing everyone a happy weekend.  But there was a very important wedding on Saturday!  So, happy end-of-weekend; try to avoid a bad case of “The Mondays.”  Any who, tonight we’re going to talk a bit more about scholarships, honing in on scholarships for women.  There are a few example, so check it out.

1.  The SWE Scholarship Program.

Each year the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) awards over 100 scholarships totaling up to $500,000 to female students.  The SWE Scholarship Program is designed to encourage and aid women in engineering, engineering technology and computer science fields of study.  Individual awards amount from $1,000 to $10,000 and are available to high school seniors/will-be undergraduate freshmen all the way up to graduate level students.

Scholarship awards are announced and awarded at various times, with differences among freshmen and upper-class.  College students, sophomore to graduate level, are notified during the summertime, while freshman recipients and renewed scholarships are announced during early fall.  SWE scholarship funds are both company-sponsored and donated, and thus awards are disbursed differently, with sponsored scholarships being presented in the fall and donated funds awarded in both fall and spring.

2.  The Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship.

Sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the American History Scholarship is designed to aid entering female freshmen in the pursuit of history and government studies.  Dedicated to the country’s history, the DAR is motivated to provide 2 renewable scholarships (pending annual transcript review) worth $2,000 each to students following the same path.  U.S. citizenship is required for the award; however citizens currently living abroad may apply via a Units Overseas Chapter of the DAR.

3.  Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship.

The Women in Business Scholarship, provided by Zonta International, is available to women pursuing both undergraduate and graduate degrees in various business specialties.  Made possible by the generous donation from member Jane M. Klausman in 1998, this award gives funds to both national district and international club members for college.  One $1,000 award is presented to a member of each U.S. district club (26 last year), and an additional 12 scholarships worth $5,000 each are disbursed to international recipients annually.

Applicants for the Women in Business Scholarship need to be studying and greatly excelling in this field and have to be nominated by their district club.

4.  New York Women in Communications Inc. Foundation Scholarship Program.

The New York Women in Communications Foundation (NYWICI) provides a great opportunity each year for female communication students to obtain scholarship awards.  There is most certainly a bias in mentioning this one (Communication major!).  The Foundation awards scholarships to 15-20 women in amounts of $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000.  Winners can be high school seniors, undergrads and grad students studying in the communications field (i.e. communications, advertising, PR, marketing, etc.) and must have a 3.2 GPA or higher.

These outstanding Comm. kids are selected based on multiple factors, including: U.S. citizenship and state of residence (only NY, NJ, CT and PA), academic excellence, financial need, school activities, honors and more.

There was a time when women were much farther behind and are still a sort of minority, but these scholarships for women and other opportunities work to move us ahead in education, work and the larger world.  If you’d like more tips and tricks as well as valuable financial aid solutions, talk to Go Financial Aid today.

And so it begins: college life.  Hopefully you took as much from your years in high school as you could—learning as much as possible, asking questions and taking the time to realize that high school prepares you for a more demanding academic load.  That next step, a college education, as one school puts it, “prepares you for the real world.”   Students learn field-specific skills and hone time management and study strategies, which will aid in a strong professional future.  However, with the flimsy nature of our economy, and less money coming into households, many become concerned about the affordability of a university education.  While that concern is understandable, organizations have recognized the need for assistance, and there are now many resources available.  Both companies with special consultants and different websites providing a wealth of information and financial assistance will help you figure out your financial situation. Think about the following.

• Fafsa.ed.gov.  First off, if you didn’t already know it, The FAFSA is the one application that EVERY undergraduate student must complete for consideration for federal financial aid.  That said, to make the process easier, do yourself a favor and familiarize yourself with the FAFSA website.  It doesn’t hurt to educate yourself (and/or your family) about financial aid in general, and about the FAFSA process.  There are many questions on the application, and you must be able to answer them all, whether that means learning how to do so or just knowing what information you will need.  You can even print out the paper version of the application for practice!

• Financial Aid Tips.  This website has financial assistance and information up the wazoo.  Thinking about college scholarships?  This site has a variety of resources dedicated to just that, with sections on major scholarships, scholarship database search and essay help.  Don’t go unprepared for coping with student loans, either.  This tips website breaks down some advice on loan debt and tuition forgiveness.

We won’t lie—the financial aid process has the potential to be a real pain in the behind, but you can make it easier on yourself!  Upon doing your homework and soaking in some information on college aid, if you want or need additional financial assistance, think about working with a Financial Aid Consultant.  Our Financial Aid Consultants will submit your financial aid applications for you and explain confusing details along the way.  For more solutions, and to learn more about the web resources available to you, take a look at some of our favorite useful sites.

Each year, thousands of students flock towards the countless scholarship opportunities made available to them.  These scholarships more often than not require certain things from applicants—an outstanding GPA, lengthy and absolutely grueling essays or enrollment in a specific academic program/major.  You can skip right over these limiting requirements with a select few easy scholarships that need only the basics.  Take a look at some of them below.

• Scholarship Zone.  SZ provides a rare opportunity to scholarship seekers to find and apply for a scholarship with no hassle.  The application process, which functions more like a contest entry, doesn’t require any (painful) essay writing or proof of certain skills.  All you have to do is fill out the entry form/registration and you’re name goes into the drawing.  Upon entering, applicants are next prompted through a series of offers (i.e. online degree programs and the like); however participation is not necessary to win.  Added to the simple application is the absolute freedom the winner has in using the money—books, tuition, loan repayment etc. are all fair game.  And oh, did we mention the SZ scholarship is for $10,000?  Nice!

• U.S. Bank Scholarship.  The U.S. Bank rewards its online visitors by offering a $1000 scholarship opportunity.  It is slightly less competitive than others, as 40 awards are given out each year, and the application is pretty simple.  There are a few eligibility requirements, but they are the usual.  Applicants must be graduating seniors in high school or college freshman, sophomores and juniors; your university has to be participating in the program, you must actually be enrolled at the school by September 2012, and you must be a U.S. Citizen.  Scholarships are awarded randomly and winners will know by mid-April that they were chosen.  By August, each award will be disbursed.

• $1000 Monthly Survey Scholarship.  College Prowler, well-known for its college information “for students, by students,” has a monthly opportunity for students to win one of the easiest scholarships out there.  CP wants your take on your alma mater, so all you have to do is fill out a survey about your experience at your school.  You’ll have to register on the site first—don’t worry it’ll take just a minute—but it’s smooth sailing from there.  Do the survey and be entered for a $1000 award.  You know what else is nice?  Even alumni can win (maybe some extra cash to pay back loans?).  AND if you refer other people, you get more entries for the award (your friends will have to complete a survey by going through your unique referral link).  Winners are chosen randomly.

This sounds pretty good, right?  Go for it—easy scholarships mean that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  And hey, if there are other opportunities that—despite stricter guidelines—you want to pursue, have at it (free money is free money after all, and a challenge never hurt anyone).  No matter how you apply for them and what’s required, scholarships are an absolute asset to any student.   Questions?  Go Financial Aid has all of your scholarship and financial aid solutions, so drop us a line.

The Pell Grant is the biggest federal grant available.  The number one consideration in determining an individual’s eligibility for this grant is financial need.  That is to say, how much help a student requires in paying for his/her education.   This should help lay things out for you:

Cost of Attendance (CoA–Total amount to attend university) – Expected Family Contribution (EFC–what your family contributes to costs)=Financial Need.

The larger that final amount is, the greater your financial need, and the big-wigs at the Department of Education recognize this.

Financial need is the biggie regarding this grant.  Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get a breakdown of any other requirements for Pell Grant eligibility.  The first two requirements below specifically apply to the Pell Grant, with the rest applying to the majority of financial aid options as well.

• Bachelor’s Degree program enrollment.  Sorry Grad kids; the Pell Grant is only for undergraduate college students.  If you’re going for teacher certification, though, you may be in luck.  It’s best to do some checking on that.
• Freedom.  Okay, that’s a little broad.  Basically, jailbirds don’t qualify for the Pell Grant, though the pursuit of higher education is admirable in any circumstance.
• High School Diploma or GED has been earned.
• US citizenship is required.
• Male applicants are registered for Selective Service (military draft, applied for via FAFSA).
• “Satisfactory academic progress” maintained in school (keep up with schoolwork–grant may be revoked).
• Indicate, via personal signature, that you will use financial aid only for your education, and that you don’t currently owe money on previous education loans.

Remember that applying for this grant means submitting your FAFSA.  If you satisfy the aforementioned eligibility requirements, you will then be able to obtain Pell Grant funds.  Your enrollment status will play a part in this.

Enrollment Requirements and corresponding grant amounts are as follows:

Maximum Award Amounts 2011-2012

There are lots of things you can do to better prepare yourself to bear the burden of college costs.  One of the most important is applying for financial aid.  You don’t need to go it alone in paying for your education.  Loans, grants and scholarships can help pay for schooling along the way.  Let’s discuss the most important application you will ever complete in your life (well perhaps that’s subjective, but it IS important)…The FAFSA (dun, dun, dun).

We at Go Financial Aid like to refer to this form as the “gateway” to college money.  It really is.  Think about it: you can’t cross a river without going over a bridge first.  The FAFSA is the bridge to financial aid for college, and you are not getting any federal aid until the application is completed!  Yes, applying for financial aid means filing the FAFSA, which is required to be eligible for and to receive federal loans and grants.  It is available in paper form or online at fafsa.ed.gov, and requires some pretty personal info.  You will need your: social security card/number, financial documentation such as tax records for the previous year, etc.

Why so personal?  Well, the financial gurus with FAFSA as well as the federal government need to determine your level of financial need.  This pretty much means that they have to find out just how much money you need for school, and how well-equipped your family is to cover school costs.  This would be your EFC, or Expected Family Contribution, which is subtracted from the Total Cost of Attendance at the school you want to go to, to determine your financial need at that school.  Generally lower-income individuals qualify for more financial aid.

When you are applying for financial aid, here are a few things you’ll have to indicate:

• Annual income (many times this means that of your parents)
• If you are interested in a federal work study program (work at school for college money)
• Anticipated student status (i.e. full- or part-time)
• Marital status
• Financial status (i.e. dependent, independent, emancipated, etc.)
• If you are a military veteran
• Know your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)

Of course this is just a sampling of what is contained in the FAFSA application.  It does, however, give a preview of what you are up against.  Students can certainly practice the FAFSA prior to submission as well.  Just get the paper application and fill in the information so you get used to the application.  Remember too that your school may require you to submit applications for financial aid supplements, so prepare for that as well.

Going off to college raises many questions about how students will cope financially, but help is out there…Take advantage of it.  No one said that applying for financial aid was fun–it’s a long process, after all–but is IS worth it!  If you get stuck along the way, don’t worry.  Go Financial Aid is available at your beckon call, eager to assist with any financial aid difficulties you may be facing.  Call us today for the solutions you need!

You’re finally headed down College Street and looking forward to what lies ahead.  Opportunities are endless—where you want to go to school, what you want to study, experiences and activities are there for the taking.  But you know you will need help getting there.  You opened your wallet and flies just emerged; it’s that empty.  The next logical step is financial assistance.  How do you get it?  Paperwork.  To receive funds for school, an application for financial assistance is required.  Let’s talk about this a bit more.

1. There are several applications to be completed for financial aid, but first thing is first: the FAFSA.

Every college student will hear this acronym for every single year of their education, so learn it now friends.  FAFSA=Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  It’s a mouthful, so just remember that FAFSA–>college money.  Of any financial assistance form you fill out, this number one.  To complete it, get out the following: tax information (yours and your guardian’s) and income information.  These details will need to be indicated on the application, as well as whether you are interested in participating in a Work Study program (jobs that specifically pay for college expenses) and others.  All of this information will help the government to determine your level of financial need, and thus the loans and grants you will qualify for.  Expect a report back on your application status within about a month.  Remember that the FAFSA is due by June 30^th of each year, though each university maybe establish its own deadline.

2. Another big application for financial assistance is the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile. 

This is a financial aid supplement form often required by private universities.  The Profile figures out an individual’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  The FAFSA does this, but the CSS Profile considers money sources like home equity too.  The CSS Profile costs $9 for the application and $16 for each copy.  Remember that every form has a deadline.  The CSS profile should ideally be submitted in October of the senior year of high school (for first time filers).  Just as you needed loads of financial information for the FAFSA, the same applies here.  It will help to have these items handy: W-2 forms, tax forms, investment records and bank statements. The CSS Profile will determine if you are eligible for non-government financial aid, i.e. institutional grants, scholarships and loans.

Now of course there’s always a chance of encountering other applications.  One to keep tucked within the gray matter is an application for a private loan.  These vary and will be discussed with a private lender or bank.  Otherwise, you should be right on track with understanding how to apply for financial aid for college.  Go Financial Aid is here to help and provide sound solutions to any financial aid inquiries.

Maximize your financial aid. Your Financial Aid Consultant will…

• Assist you in searching for scholarships and loans.
• Help determine eligibility for various forms of aid.
• Assess the fairness of your financial aid award package.

Be a source of information.  Your Financial Aid Consultant may…

• Provide you with brochures and booklets on financial aid.
• Figure out your Expected Financial Contribution (EFC)
• Guide you through to aid process.

Do the legwork.  Your Consultant will…

• File your FAFSA and CSS Profile.
• Get your information where it needs to be by the indicated deadlines.
• Check accuracy and completeness of forms (if you completed them yourself).
• Help with financial aid appeals.

Additional assistance is available depending on student status.  Future college students receive a personal situation review, which looks at student’s financial situation, including assets, with the goal of improving financial aid eligibility.  Current college students planning for more education can ask for a graduate school analysis to determine their aid eligibility for graduate programs.

Our consultants at Go Financial Aid want to make paying for college as easy as humanly possible for you. But why Go Financial Aid?  Check out that link to get the answers, and sign up for financial aid consulting today!

OH MY GOSH IT IS HOT.  That really needed to be said, and hopefully you’ve either been splashing in the water or enjoying the A/C in your house this week.  Spending time in an air conditioned house is great for cooling off, but there’s only so much to do when you’re cooped up all day.  This writer solves that problem by feeding an ever-worsening internet addiction.  Chances are if you’re here, you think the same way.  So while everyone’s trying to beat the heat, it makes sense to be proactive with this free time and learn about a few things you’ve been meaning to get to–like aid for college.

“Do I have to get financial aid?”  Well of course you don’t have to, but why wouldn’t you?  Did you know that some students don’t even apply because of the lengthy application?  While it’s a no-brainer that filling out applications is less than entertaining, the FAFSA is only going to help later.  FAFSA tabulates your financial need, estimates an approximate award amount, and sends the results neatly broken down for personal review.  And just think about it: aid for college includes grants, which translates to “free money.”   Not filing means missing out on lots of funding opportunities.

Hopefully you’ve decided to pursue financial aid, so read on.  Let’s face it, college is EXPENSIVE.  But this is the education that will teach you how to make a livelihood somewhere down the road, so it is well worth it.  Everybody’s financial circumstances are different, however, so luckily this is accounted for in the financial aid process.

There will be plenty of opportunities to talk about grants another time.  For now, let’s review two basics: need-based aid and non-need based aid. 

Need-based financial aid is the money that students receive because their financial situation dictates that it would be of great help. Much of this aid comes in the form of loans, which have low interest rates because the government provides them. These loans are subsidized too, so the government bears the burden of your loan interest during school or 6 months after. 

Non-need based aid includes the loans the will help a student or family pay for education, but without regard for the overall financial situation presented (i.e. Stafford Loan).  Many individuals require aid for college, but they don’t meet the standards required for other need-based loans, having too many assets.  Higher interest rates go hand-in-hand with these loans, and the government will not cover this.  What this means to the borrower is a larger sum at the end, with all interest added to the principle amount.  A good idea, if it is feasible, is to make payments just on the interest through college (this way your debt doesn’t pile up).

Do your homework on aid for college.  Find out which loans seem like the best fit for your situation and accept the aid awards that you believe will help.  Your FAFSA will indicate eligibility, but consider accepting the most aid that you can WHILE thinking about which aid will serve you best.  There are a number of resources to consult in your quest for financial aid, and Go Financial Aid is eager to provide helpful solutions to students and families.

Hello!  Now that everyone has had thoughts of financial aid for college swirling around their minds, let’s get to the heart of the matter: the aid you will receive and how you will get it.  As you likely know already, your FAFSA money comes in the form of loans and grants taken out/given on your behalf.  Since the financial aid deadline for submitting your FAFSA application has passed, if you applied for aid you are now in the waiting stage.  You’re thinking, “Where is my money?  When am I going to get it?  How much will I get?”  Let’s take each of those questions one at a time.

1) Where is my money?  The answer here is simply that it is not available to you yet.  Students all over the country file for financial aid each year and because of that, you will unfortunately have to wait some time until you know your approximate award.  It will take several weeks for FAFSA to finish calculating your financial aid.

2) When am I going to get it (the money)?  As indicated above, it will take several weeks just to generate an estimate.  Usually you can expect to wait 6-8 weeks to find out what you are eligible for.  Assuming that you are starting school this coming Fall, your FAFSA money will actually be disbursed into your student account a few weeks or even a few days before classes begin.  This is sure to cause some concern for some people if they don’t have a clear understanding of what is going on and when.  It is a good idea to check with your university to see if they have a specific timeline for financial aid disbursement.   There may be a date on the calendar when this is scheduled to happen.

3) How much aid will I get?  Simple answer: this depends on your financial need and your enrollment status.  A person demonstrating significant financial need (i.e. due to low income, etc) will receive higher FAFSA money amounts, and certain need based financial aid. There are a few things to keep in mind in considering your enrollment status too.  As a general guideline, try to maintain at least part time enrollment, as it will profoundly affect the aid you can receive.  Stafford and Perkins loans, as well as SEOG grant recipients must be enrolled  half-time (6 credits) or more.  Receipt of the PHEAA grant also stipulates that you be enrolled no less than part time (i.e. if you take one course or 3 credits you do not qualify).  One exception to note is that Pell Grant recipients may, in some cases, still be eligible for aid at less than half-time enrollment.  It it best to check with you school about this.  Financial aid may be impacted by academic performance, i.e. maintaining a minimum GPA (often 2.0), so always put your best foot forward in the academic arena.

Just remember that as nerve-racking as it may be, all you have to do is follow the financial aid process and wait patiently while your aid amount is calculated.  Patience now and hard work later will help your cause.

There were so many questions I had when I went to complete my FAFSA for the first time back in 2003. Actually, I had so many questions that I put the application to the side and had a family friend complete it for me! I’m not sure if the answers weren’t there or if I just didn’t take the time out to seek the answers. Well, hopefully you won’t have to go through what I went through. There is FAFSA help for you.

When you go to log onto your FAFSA application online, you will find that there are several answers to your questions.

If you find you need more help when it comes to completing your FAFSA, there is even a number you can call — 888-544-9898

In addition, calling is not your only option to receive FAFSA help. Maybe you prefer email. You can email as many questions as you would like, for as long as you would like to contact@gofinancialaid.com.

If you would prefer to contact the U.S. Department of Education directly, you can log on to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/contact.htm, tochat online, live with someone to help you along with the process. Even more so, we at Go Financial Aid understand you may need a more hands on approach to receiving FAFSA help. We have financial aid consultants who will actually sit down with you and help you with you complete your FAFSA.

You don’t have to be like me when I looked at my FAFSA for the first time—overwhelmed, filled with questions, and looking for a way out! FAFSA help is nearby for you. There are so many options. You can call, email, chat live, or sit with a consultant to get all the FAFSA help you need. You can combine these options if necessary. Send a call one day or send out an email the next. Ask all the questions you need, and you are sure to find the answers.

Mother’s day is approaching, and I’m feeling the pressure to find that perfect gift for my mom. Dates are just like deadlines in my head, rushing around to get everything done before times up. That same pressure when applying for financial aid is there too! There is a financial aid deadline for applications and material to be sent. Although, I’m pretty sure my mom will forgive me if I send her a late present, financial aid distributors and schools will not be as forgiving. As a matter of fact, if you miss the deadline, you miss your money. It’s as simple as that.

One of the most important financial aid applications to complete is your FAFSA. The FAFSA will help you get need-based money—grants, scholarships and loans.

The deadline for the FAFSA is midnight Central Standard Time, June 30, 2011 if you are applying for the 2011-2012 school year. However, meeting the FAFSA financial aid deadline reminds me a bit of Goldilocks & the three Bears—you can’t be late and you can’t be early when applying. Your timing must be just right.

You are not able to submit your FAFSA before January 1 of the year you are applying to receive aid. Furthermore, if you need to make corrections or update your FAFSA, the deadline to do so is September 15, 2011. Remember that is for corrections or updates only.

The CSS PROFILE has no set deadline, however it should be submitted AT LEAST 2 weeks before your school’s financial aid deadline.

There are several financial aid supplements specific to whatever school you are attending. Openly communicate with your school or school of choices about the financial aid they have available to it’s current or prospective students. Call the financial aid office. Ask questions. Most of all, meet your deadline because if you don’t, all the prep work will have been a waste of time. If you feel you have a problem with deadlines or need additional help, reach out to one of our financial aid consultants for help. We are here to not only guide you through the financial aid process, but to ensure you meet your deadlines.

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Ah the eternal question: How Do I Get Financial Aid?

Wow April is here (my Birthday month *woot*) and I have so many unanswered questions: Why do I still have allergies? Are little kids ever NOT sick? When’s Rita’s free ice cream day? And HOW DO I GET FINANCIAL AID?!?!?

Well, I’m sad to say I only have one answer to those complicated questions, and that’s HOW DO I GET FINANCIAL AID? If you have the answers to the other questions, you let me know, and I’ll give you a internet high five. In the meantime, enjoy my answer…

1. Submit the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the fundamental forms that you need to fill out. In order to raise you eligibility, submit the form early, as it disburses money based on “First come, first serve” basis. Apply early (Jan. 1st) and you’ll thank us later.

2. Submit Non Federal Applications

As we navigate through the question of “How do I get financial aid”, our next point is the non federal applications.  This includes any forms that your school of choice requires you to fill out. This could include such items as the CSS profile and additional financial aid supplements.

3.  The student aid report

Roughly a month after you submit your FAFSA, you will receive a report that informs you of your financial aid eligibility. Be sure to double check the report, and make any corrections.

4. Additional Aid

Consider additional loan options, as well as applying for scholarships and grant money. A complete overview of how you can get financial aid can be found here: How Do I get financial aid ?overview

5. Verify all the financial aid information

Just like you want to double check tests, you also want to look over your financial aid to make sure everything is correct. You’ve made it this far, so please DON’T skip this step

6.  Signing the MPN

A Master Promissory Note is a students commitment to repay any loans they may have borrowed to pay for school.  Complete this, and double check your financial aid package to make sure everything is correct.

That’s the basics! If you want specific answers, please email us at contact@gofinancialaid.com or call us at (888) 544-9898

If you’ve looked at our site Go Financial Aid, you will realize that the majority of the information is FREE, but we keep the site running Ad-free because of our financial aid consulting services.

Wow the days must be getting longer because FAFSA season is in full effect. I’ve been around the internet a couple of times and here are the sentiments I hear:

“AHAHA I need FAFSA help. I NNEEEED help with FAFSA-who the **** is going to help me with my FAFSA- Free me from the FAFSA!”

Alright, I’m not a superhero, nor do I pretend to be one of the internet, but I do have a superhuman solution:

The FAFSA HELP NUMBER!

Call us! (888) 544-9898

Don’t worry this isn’t a dream…. we have a FAFSA HELP NUMBER. Who can honestly do this and still have a life? No us apparently, but we don’t care about the latter, so it’s your lucky day. Call us  (888) 544-9898 ) with your problems, and we’ll do our best to help. If the idea of hearing someone voice freaks you out, I have a SECOND SUPERHUMAN option:

The FAFSA Help Form:

*Gasp*

Yes it’s here! The almighty FAFSA king has granted you one wish, so ask carefully! Send us your FAFSA question via our contact form and we’ll do our best to answer it. Just be sure to have the heading label “the FAFSA” so we don’t mark it as spam! Sounds like a dream right? Well it might be dreamy but I assure you it’s real. Again here is our FAFSA HELP FORM. Maybe the idea of talking AND typing freaks you out; what do you do then? Well I have a THIRD OPTION:

Free Fafsa Help Online

Lucky for you, we already know some of things you’re going to ask! That’s why we’ve designed a FAFSA page to help you get through the process. To get you there faster, here are the quick links to specific pages:

FAFSA Calculator

FAFSA Trick and Tips

FAFSA Renewal

Dependency Status

What is FAFSA?

CONCLUSION:

If you managed to skip the entire article and end up right here, then here’s a recap of everything important:

We have a FAFSA Help Number (888) 544-9898

We have a Fafsa Help Form

We have a Fafsa Help Page

If you’ve looked at our site Go Financial Aid, you will realize that the majority of the information is FREE, but we keep the site running Ad-free because of our financial aid consulting services.

We don’t like doing our taxes, so we get others to do them for us. Why? Because it helps us save energy, time, and money. Now we can sidestep another tedious process: financial aid. If you feel this process is too long, tiresome, complex, or just annoying, consider looking into a financial aid consultant (which comes with a satisfaction guarantee). If you don’t have the money for one of our packages, that alright! We’ll keep providing tons of free information via this financial aid blog, twitter, and facebook! If you have any questions about financial aid or financial aid consultants, please send me an email!

Ah spring is coming. It’s raining more, snowing less, and I think I can smell the stink bugs coming back into my house. Yet nothing is more sweet than the wonderful nectar that FAFSA provides. For those just applying, congrats! For everyone else: Stay Strong! To help our new FAFSA brother’s and sister’s, I’ve decided to put together a quick 101 lesson on the almighty FAFSA. Enjoy.

1. What is FAFSA?

FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid

2. Ok I know what is means, how does it work?

Financial Need = Expected Family Contribution (EFC) – Total Cost of Attendance (TCOA)

If your confused about EFC or how to determine Financial need, consider using a FAFSA Calculator.

3. Thanks for the great info! But when is the FAFSA Deadline?

The FAFSA deadline is tricky, because there is a Federal Deadline which could differ from a state deadline. Click below to figure out when your FAFSA deadline is. The PDF is broken down by each state, to make it easier to find your FAFSA deadline.

2011-2012 FAFSA Deadline

Bonus Round: Some reminders when filling out your FAFSA

• Leave No Blank Entry: If the answer is $0, then put a 0. Seriously, do this and you’ll thank me later
• Reduce your family’s adjusted gross income (Not sure how to do this? Check out our FAFSA tips and tricks or consider contacting usabout it)

And that sums it up. Short, sweet and simple. If you have more questions, or want more information, contact us

This may sound strange, but we want to talk to you about financial aid!

If you’ve looked at our site Go Financial Aid, you will realize that the majority of the information is FREE, but we keep the site running Ad-free because of our financial aid consulting (which comes with a satisfaction guarantee). Similar to having someone else do your taxes, we can help you automate your financial aid and make sure you maximize the amount of money you receive. If you still want to fill out financial aid on your own, that’s alright! We’ll keep providing tons of free information via this financial aid blog, twitter, and facebook! If you have any questions about financial aid or financial aid consultants, please send me an email!

For many students, community college provide an opportunity to receive a college education without going broke. But before you jump into classes, you first need to look at any and all financial aid available. Remember, the more time you spend researching and maximizing the money you can receive, the less stress (and debt!) you’ll have later. In order to help you grasp the complex process of financial aid, I’m going to breakdown and explain some of the avenues available for upcoming or returning students. To begin, let’s look some financial aid sources.

The Department of Education

The Federal financial aid largely looks at need rather than academic achievement, and provides the following three types of loans:

• Stafford Student Loans
• PLUS loans for parents
• Federal Pell Grant

Federal Agencies

The United States’ provides a significant amount of money for students who are looking to pursue higher education. While different departments target specific groups, the major aid programs include:

• Federal Pell Grant Program
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program
• Federal Work-Study Program
• Federal Perkins Loan Program
• William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
• Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program

Other Sources

As stated earlier, you must explore all the financial aid available. Once you’ve applied for all the federal money you can receive, look at what your state provides. Each state offers different programs, so research each one of interest to determine which one has the best financial aid.

Private lenders also offer assistance for students, but the student must have good credit along with a parent with good credit to act as a co-signer. This option has become less popular, but I’m still listing it because I care about your financial aid!

Finally, one must not forget to look at private companies that offer scholarships. If your field of interest (and academic record) match those of a company, they might assist you in paying for school. Since there are various companies that offer scholarships based on specific fields, the best way to research is to narrow your interests and search for companies providing money within that field.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to shoot us an email. This may sound crazy, but we WANT to talk to you about financial aid!

Also for more information and the best links around the web, follow us on facebook and twitter.

If you feel this process is too long, tiresome, complex, or just annoying, check out some of the services we offer (which comes with a satisfaction guarantee). If you don’t have the money for one of our packages, that alright! We’ll keep providing tons of free information via this blog, twitter, and facebook! Thanks for stopping by!

We know that the FAFSA can be overwhelming at first glance (and second…and maybe third), so below is a list of some FAFSA “dos and don’ts” to help ensure that you get the most out of the federal financial aid system.

FAFSA DOS AND DON’TS

• Do look into practice FAFSA documents that are available on the FAFSA website that you can fill out periodically for free. This will show you everything you should be prepared for when filling out the actual document, giving you head start before you even receive the real thing.
• Do get all your personal financial information together before filling out the FAFSA. After doing the practice FAFSA, you should have some solid general ideas for what to expect on the real document. Once you know what will be asked of you, make sure you have all the information at hand and ready to go, so you won’t be scrambling to find it all when you are filling out the actual FAFSA. This includes information like your Social Security number, driver’s license and FAFSA PIN.
• Do calculate your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) ahead of time. Many websites, even college or university sites, now offer EFC calculators that will give you a good estimate of what your EFC will be. This allows you to be aware of around the amount you will be expected to provide based on your family assets and other personal information, allowing you to better prepare yourself for paying for the school of your choice, as well as looking into additional forms of aid, such as scholarships and state or private loans.
• Don’t put it off! The first day to send in the FAFSA is January 1st of each year. While this is surely not an ideal task to be doing on New Years, it will definitely be to your financial benefit to fill it out and send it in as early as possible. Federal financial aid goes by a “first come, first served” guideline, so the sooner you send in your FAFSA, the better chance you have of getting more aid.
• Don’t leave any questions blank! Blank responses are one of the costliest errors on the FAFSA because many people do not know that they must write something down, even if it does not apply to them. Double check all of your responses before sending in the FAFSA to make sure you did not leave anything out, as it could cost you significant amounts of financial aid.
• Don’t forget to renew the FAFSA every year! Your personal financial situation can change in as little as a few weeks, let alone one year. The FAFSA requires that it be renewed each year to keep it current along with your finances, making sure that you are receiving the right amount of financial aid based on your eligibility.
• If the process of completing the FAFSA is causing more stress than you think is necessary, do consider hiring a financial aid consultant. These experts can help guide you through the financial aid process, making sure that you are filling out the applications correctly and on time, thus significantly decreasing your chances of making costly errors on your financial aid documents.

Thanks to changes being implemented by national education resources, all private and public universities must provide financial aid calculators for prospective or current students on their websites by the end of the October 2011. This will allow colleges and families to communicate better regarding financial information, and enable people to estimate the amount they will be expected to pay for college very early on, as well as showing them that the amount may not be as high as they thought.

The FAFSA document is obviously one of the most important documents in the process of obtaining financial aid in the form of government loans. However, aid from scholarships and things of that sort, where the money being given out is not expected back, are also extremely significant in obtaining aid. Searching and applying for scholarships can be time consuming and somewhat stressful, but the benefits definitely out-weigh the irritation of filling out forms. There are countless amounts of different scholarships available to everyone, so you can never start looking too soon.

Financial aid loans are actively sought after by many people, whether they are of the federal, private or state categories. Remember that the FAFSA form is your key to getting the most amount of aid you can from the federal government, and most colleges and universities require that it be filled out for admission. Financial aid advisors and financial aid consultants are always available to assist you in completing this process successfully. They can also help you look for other sources of aid that can be of assistance to you in paying for college.

Your education is a crucial step on the way to your future career. Financial aid is available for every college student, so don’t be afraid
to start the process now!