Counselor's Corner

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by the Department of Education that is used to determine financial aid eligibility. It must be filled out annually for current and potential college students. Federal student financial aid includes Pell grants, Stafford loans, PLUS loans, and work-study programs. In addition, most schools use information from the FAFSA to award non-federal aid.

The FAFSA consists of numerous questions regarding the student's finances, as well as those of his or her family; these are entered into a formula that determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). A number of factors are used in determining the EFC including the family size, income, number in college, and assets (not including retirement and 401K). This information is required because there is an expectation that parents will contribute to their child's education, even if they do not. Students who will not be receiving parental aid for college expenses may be able to appeal directly to their school of choice for a reevaluation of aid awards based on their personal circumstances. After submitting the FAFSA, the Student Aid Report (SAR) is generated.

This is a summary of the FAFSA responses and is forwarded to the student. You should review the SAR carefully for necessary corrections. Schools may award aid on a first-come, first-served basis, and students are advised to fill out the FAFSA as early as possible for consideration for maximum financial assistance.
 

Before you can begin filling out the online application, you will need to apply for a PIN.

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