by Brittany Cox
(Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA)
Ready? On your marks. Get set. This is just another game. FAFSA - the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - is only a game. The FAFSA should, by no means be taken as lightly as a game is, for the results are vastly more practical and lasting than the short lived victory of a mere game. However, the FAFSA is still a task to be completed with precision and diligence, and similar to an intriguing board game, stress free. Like any intricately written game worth the time to play FAFSA takes some time set up. Set aside an afternoon (with your parents if you are under the age of 24), maybe two. Like a puzzle spilled across a coffee table the FAFSA can be saved for later and will still be there after a break for gathering intel and strategy.
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by Lauren Whitmore
Filling out the FAFSA can be a tedious process because there are many things that need to be done. Not only is it the student’s responsibility to make sure they are doing their part, but parents also have to make sure that their information is accurate.
I know that from personal experience, it is better to do the FAFSA early, so that if changes have to be made, the issues can be addressed in a timely matter. Depending on what school you choose to go to, the financial aid office can be slow at getting back to you, so it is important that you meet your deadlines.
Since I was away at school, I could only fill out the information that I knew. There was a lot of going back and forth with me and my parents to make sure the information was right. My parents also had to do their job and get the information that was needed.
Some advice that I would give would first be to do the best you can during the school year to get the most money you can. The higher your GPA is, the more money you may be able to receive.
Another piece of advice is to not wait until the last minute to get all necessary information needed. If there is an issue, and you need certain things, get that taken care of right away so that it does not slow down the process of you receiving financial aid.
I would also advise you to continue to remind your parent(s) about their obligation to do their part on the FAFSA. Parents have busy schedules just like students, and they forget things sometimes, so by helping to make sure they remember will help you get your financial aid on time.
Read more tips on filling out the FAFSA from other students and parents who have been through the FAFSA application process.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to FAFSA Hints.
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