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College is expensive. This is the same for high school students and for non-traditional students who must pay for full tuition and the other expenses associated with higher learning. Those expenses can keep many people from going to college but there is help and hope. Financial aid for students is out there if you know where to start. It all begins with filling out the necessary paperwork associated with the FAFSA.
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid from the government. It is the single most important application you can fill out besides your application for admittance to the university. It lets the government know of your economic status and will determine how much money you qualify for in student aid. You cannot get any form of aid from Pell Grants or student loans without filling out one of these applications, so you can see why they are so important to your academic status.
When filling out the application, you will need some information about yourself. Obviously, you will need to supply very important personal information, such as your name, address, school of choice (up to three that will receive your report), social security number and your previous year's tax information. The tax information is used to determine how much you make and how much money in Pell Grants you will be able to receive.
Pell Grants are free grant money from the United States government that you do not have to pay back. It is awarded based on your financial need. This is the best way to help pay for school since you do not have to worry about accumulating student loan debt. Granted, you will probably still need to take out student loans to help finish paying for your expenses but the Pell Grant can lessen the debt load.
After filling out the FAFSA, you will receive a SAR, or Student Aid Report, that will detail how much money you are eligible to receive. It will also inform you of your disbursement dates. This allows you to plan on when your money will be arriving. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is an invaluable tool used to help determine eligibility and helps students to go to school, who otherwise may not be able to attend. You need to fill out one of these applications even if you know you are not eligible for a Pell Grant because even student loans use this information. Good luck in school!
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