Applying for Financial AidMoney is available to help you go to college if you and your family cannot afford to pay the full amount. And you don’t have to be low-income to qualify for some programs. Determining your eligibility for need-based aid Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Aid
Sources of AidMore than 95 percent of student financial aid comes from three sources: the federal government, the state, and colleges and universities. The rest comes from private sources, such as local organizations, foundations, and corporations. Types of AidFinancial aid includes grants, loans, work study, and scholarships. In general, student aid is either need-based, or merit-based. Need-based aid is awarded to students who cannot pay for college without assistance and includes grants, loans, and work study. Merit-based aid, generally in the form of scholarships, is awarded to students based on academic, athletic, or other specific achievements or criteria. Most students receive a combination
of these types of financial aid in what’s called a financial aid
package, which is prepared by your college financial aid office.
Determining your eligibility for need-based aidYour financial need is the difference between the amount it will cost you to go to school (cost of attendance) and the amount of money that you and your family are judged able to pay (expected family contribution). Your expected family contribution will not vary much from school to school. However, each school has a different cost of attendance. Therefore, your financial need, or the amount of aid for which you qualify, may vary from school to school. To determine your expected family contribution and your financial need, colleges and universities use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA considers your family income and assets, family size, and number of family members in college. The calculation, which determines eligibility for aid, is complicated. There is no income cutoff. The only way to learn if you are eligible for any financial aid is to apply. The application process is not difficult and help is available throughout the process. If you have questions about the FAFSA, contact your college or university financial aid office, or call toll-free 1-800-433-3243 (1-800-4FEDAID).
How to Apply1. Complete the FAFSA - To apply for federal financial aid and most state aid programs, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Paper forms are available from high school guidance offices, college financial aid offices, and public libraries; or call: 1.800.4FEDAID. Apply as soon as possible AFTER January 1, for the upcoming academic year. Do not wait until you are admitted to apply. 2. Review your Student Aid Report - One to four weeks after you submit your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Review it carefully for accuracy and make corrections, if necessary. 3. Contact prospective colleges and universities - Contact the financial aid offices of prospective schools as soon as possible about application procedures and deadlines. Ask about financial aid opportunities, including tuition waivers and scholarships, and about their student budgets. 4. Follow instructions and meet all deadlines - If your FAFSA or other financial aid applications are late or incomplete, you may not be considered for all of the aid programs available. Check financial aid priority deadlines at selected colleges and universities in Washington. Follow up promptly on any requests for additional information. 5. Research scholarships - Check to see if local organizations or your employer (or parent’s employer) offer scholarships. Visit free scholarship search services on the Internet. For more information, visit our Scholarships section. 6. Evaluate financial aid award letters - Schools will send you award letters with details of your financial aid package - usually a combination of grants, loans and work study. Compare the financial aid awards carefully. You may be required to either accept or decline your award by a specific date. 7. Keep good records - Make photocopies of your applications and supporting information. To track important information and dates, you may want to keep a financial aid notebook or worksheet for quick reference. For more information Contact the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board's Student Financial Assistance office: E-mail: finaid@hecb.wa.gov Phone: 360-753-7850 _________________________________________________ | ||||||||||||||
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