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Financial Aid Overview Step 1: Apply for Admission Step 2: Apply for Federal Aid Step 3: Apply for State Aid Step 4: Apply for Institutional/Private Aid Scholarship Search Tool What's Your Bottom Line Other Ways to Pay for College Terms and FAQs College Tools	MISSISSIPPI IS FOR THINKERS 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. And the online application is much easier than the paper version.) Your FAFSA not only makes you eligible for federal financial aid, but also state aid and even scholarships offered by your college. You should apply, even if you think you might not qualify! When to Submit Submit the FAFSA any time after January 1, but don’t wait too long. Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and some deadlines start passing in March. Documents You'll Need You’ll need your Social Security Number, driver's license number, and your financial info (tax returns, etc.) 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 you are expected 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 you've applied to.