What is the primary method for getting scholarships/financial aid?

aunt_bea
Sun, 16 Jun 2013 03:21:47 +0000

Mr.
Most students begin the scholarship process by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student aid (FAFSA) on Jan 1st of each year. This is a SERVICE that provides financial information from you to the colleges and the government. If you qualify for FEDERAL aid, then the FAFSA form is a necessity, and it gives you an EFC (expected family contribution) number as well as informing you if you qualify for federal funds. The universities access this information to give you any additional funding (loans, scholarships, grants, AKA: full rides). The application was due in March. You may want to try to still apply. Go to the FAFSA website and see if you can still submit a form. You need your parents’ 1040 tax forms.

The reason you are not receiving any private scholarships is because thousands of students apply for these and the money isn’t very good. Your best chance of funding your education is by using the FAFSA service. At this point, many of the universities have distributed their financial aid, but you can still try.

It is very unusual and unfortunate that your high school didn’t give you this information. Most high schools have parent and student “nights” that discuss FAFSA repeatedly and, they constantly reinforce the March deadline every year.

You need to get on this, YESTERDAY! GO TO THE FAFSA website now.