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Federal Financial Student Aid
What is Federal Student Aid?
Federal Student Aid (FSA) is money available to eligible Americans from the federal government. FSA money is for education beyond high school and is available in several forms such as scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans. Federal Student’s Aid’s core mission is to ensure that all eligible Americans benefit from federal financial assistance.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
Eligibility for federal student aid programs is based on financial need and several other factors. Your eligibility is determined by the information you provide on the FAFSA.
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Basic eligibility requirements:
- Demonstrate financial need (except for certain loans)
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen with a valid Social Security number
- Be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program
- Register (if you haven’t already) with the Selective Service, if you’re a male between the ages of 18 and 25
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school
- Show, by one of the following means, that you’re qualified to obtain postsecondary education:
- Have a high school diploma or a GED Certificate
- Pass an approved ability-to-benefit test
- Meet other standards your state establishes that FSA has approved
- Complete a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law
How do I apply?
You can apply any year and every year you are at college. As long as you’re enrolled all you have to do is fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. After you fill out the form the FSA committee will review your application and will be in contact with your school. Then your school will notify you of all the aid you are being offered. You then have to choice to either accept or deny each type.
TIP: Time is money!
Apply early and your chances of getting money (and more of it) will increase. As time passes more and more money has already been allocated leaving less available for those who apply late.
