STEP 2 - APPLY FOR FEDERAL AID
Complete the FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
(The FAFSA website is updated regularly and contains everything you need to know about the application process and the types of aid available.)
All students should complete the FAFSA. You may not think your child will qualify for federal aid, but the FAFSA is used by nearly all colleges and universities to award not only federal aid, but also state and institutional aid.
When to Submit
The FAFSA can be submitted any time after January 1 of your child’s senior year in high school, but don’t wait too long. Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and some deadlines start passing in March.
File Taxes Early
Be prepared to help your child by providing your tax returns and other financial information. This means you'll need to file your taxes early in the year.
EFC
A few weeks after filling out the FAFSA, you will receive an estimate of what your family can afford to spend on college before factoring in any financial aid. This is your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your results will also go to the federal government, your state government, and the schools to which your child has applied.