With the plethora of big-business entities jockeying for the money of students on the path to becoming well-to-do responsible consumers with a house, car, and 1.5 children, it's often missed that the US Government is the first place to start when planning student finances.
Scholarships, traineeships, fellowships, loans: Uncle Sam is nothing if not prolific in the diversity of programs available. For most students, the acroynm FAFSA is their first encounter with the cold hard seriousness of bureaucratic forms, most commonly dealt with before the dreaded and stereotypically cryptic IRS forms such as the 1040.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a free form and free service provided by the Department of Education. If you do not fill it in you will not be eligible for federal (government-backed) student loans. However, you will still be eligible for private, or alternative student loans.
Almost every school sets its own deadline for when the different forms of financial aid are due. Some may be as early as the second week of January and some have no deadlines at all. It is strongly recommended to check with your own school's financial aid office to find out exactly when your deadlines may fall. In order to meet a "Transaction Receipt Date" deadline for your college, it is recommended to submit to us at least 2 weeks prior to the published deadline to insure submission.
There are a myriad of large, well-oiled companies that will gladly take your money and 'process' your FAFSA application on your behalf. The fees for this service typically range from $50 to $100. You could also go with a private accountant, however the 'personal touch' will of course usually cost you more.
Wait! Do you really want to start your experience with Government forms as one of resignation that no, you are really not bright or organized enough to be able to fill it in yourself? Learning to 'do it yourself' with the Government can be not only a satisfying but potentially educational experience that will teach you the skills that many self-made millionares taught themselves: relying on an accountant or anonymous firm does nothing except save you some time, and in fact with big-ticket money decisions who is to say that your 'assistants' are not putting their interests before yours?
Just as their are firms such as H&R Block that will open up retail outlets in your neighorhood every year at tax time, there are companies that specialize in FAFSA applications. Now, as with the majority of tax returns, the FAFSA is anything but rocket science. It is simply a matter of making sure you know all your variables and where to write it on the form. For companies who perform this work day in day out, your financial future is simply an algorithm which is input and output in moments. They typically spend more printing the paper for your documents and checks then they do in any actual 'labor'.
SO, consider tackling the FAFSA yourself. Just like learning to do your taxes on your own, a few hours spent researching how to do the forms ONCE will enable you to conquer them the next time, and you can even make money on the side on campus teaching others how to complete such forms.
Here is the Government's central page for the FAFSA. Everything you need to know is here and studying all the resources here WILL let you fill in this form without errors, and without giving your money away:
About The Author
This article reprinted courtesy of HungryStudents.com - Independent Student Loan Consolidation Info. http://www.hungrystudents.com
Copyright 2004 HungryStudents.com
Predatory lenders promise loans that are "too good to be... Read More
A secured loan is any loan that is secured on... Read More
Because of the Internet, quick payday loans are faster than... Read More
If you have been injured in an accident it is... Read More
Big financial goals, no security to supply - it is... Read More
Enervated by the hectic schedule at the work place, traveling... Read More
No matter what your credit history is the simple fact... Read More
According to federal government research, small businesses provide about 75%... Read More
Car loans for people with bad credit are readily available... Read More
Plato said, 'We can easily forgive a child who is... Read More
If you're looking for an online loan, you might be... Read More
Over recent years, personal loans have become a popular solution... Read More
The long awaited paycheque is finally here. However, the reverie... Read More
Credit relationships in a social system form an intricate web... Read More
Sometimes finding fast homeowner loans can seem impossible? no matter... Read More
It is still a few weeks to Christmas and every... Read More
Education never ends ? it is not said without reason.... Read More
People sometimes wonder about common types of loans, especially with... Read More
What is man's greatest invention?Some of the latest gizmos would... Read More
Credit Unions have long been known as the place to... Read More
No faxing payday loans are the wave of the future.... Read More
Wedding loans because wedding may be made in heaven but... Read More
If you want to apply for a loan online, you... Read More
If you are in need of extra cash until pay... Read More
Here is a useful guide to secured loans. A secured... Read More
Have you ever felt like you bought an auto and... Read More
Some say that the automobile industry saved the economy during... Read More
Comparing payday loan companies online saves you time and money.... Read More
Payday loans have many names -- cash advances, signature loans... Read More
Refinancing your car loan online is now more convenient. Your... Read More
Because it can sometimes be difficult to find a UK... Read More
A loan is money that you borrow and agree to... Read More
Here are some useful Debt Consolidation tips. Debt consolidation is... Read More
If you find yourself in a situation where you need... Read More
Listed below are some of the reasons for choosing a... Read More
Applying for a payday loan online is a quick and... Read More
With a stated objective to help consumers, Congress deemed it... Read More
Free Auto Loan TipsThe following tips should help increase your... Read More
Financial statements, salaries, income proof, documents, paycheck, W-2 forms, 1099's... Read More
If you're looking for a fast homeowner loan, you might... Read More
It is no secret that thin or no credit can... Read More
The bad news about attending college is that it costs... Read More
Personal LoansNormally, a personal loan is unsecured meaning there is... Read More
Why do kids get all the breaks? Winter-weary adults, fed... Read More
Cash advance loans not only provide you with instant cash,... Read More
Online payday loans seem to be popping up everywhere. A... Read More
For American students, the U.S. Government came up with a... Read More
Secured loans have become very popular over recent years, with... Read More
Here is a useful guide to fast secured loans. Here... Read More
Here is a useful guide to secured personal loans. A... Read More
If you considering using a Cash Advance Payday Loan service... Read More
'Bad' means 'bad' no matter where you go! It is... Read More
No one can say for certain where the history of... Read More
Even it you have no credit history, you can still... Read More
Trying to find a good homeowner loan UK can end... Read More
Enervated by the hectic schedule at the work place, traveling... Read More
Have you been trying to find out what bad credit... Read More
Your son or daughter is a high school senior and... Read More
Payday loans are loans of a small amount, taken for... Read More
If you've been tossing around an idea for a small... Read More
If you spend more than you earn on a regular... Read More
VA loans are basically mortgages or home loans geared towards... Read More
Here is a useful guide to secured loans. A secured... Read More
If you're in the process of trying to find home... Read More
Different types of loans are available for almost every aspect... Read More
Some of the many benefits of a Home Improvement Loan... Read More
Loan |