College Aid Application

If your youngsters are going to College this year, this is the time to start your work for submission of financial-aid paperwork. The deadline for such applications usually fall on a date between March 1 to March 15.

The key form involved in this process is called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may download the form and related instructions from: FAFSA Form. This site also allows electronic filing of the form. It is a free form and you should apply even if you think that there might not be any chance for you. New scholarships are created every year and you may find some surprises.

You will need the data from your 2006 federal income tax return to fill out the application, but DO NOT wait until you file your 2006 tax - you may use estimates to complete the FAFSA form. Otherwise you may find yourself somewhere around the end of a long queue. That's because most states and colleges start allowing submission of FAFSA forms beginning Jan 1.

Applications received earliest are given top priority. Although the form is FREE to submit, Parents should remember that student financial aid is not meant to provide a free financial assistance to you. The system is set up to provide assistance to those who might not otherwise be able to attend college.