I’ve Filed My FAFSA, Now What? | Student Loan News, Updates and Blog Posts

03.03.09 | I’ve Filed My FAFSA, Now What?

Posted in College, FAFSA, Federal Work-Study, Financial Aid, Private Student Loans, Stafford Loan by David Bonvie

It was Benjamin Franklin that quipped, nothing is certain but death and taxes, but in the world of financial aid the student_aid FAFSA is at the top of that short list. Completing your FAFSA is an absolute must. Without it I can tell you with great certainty that you will not receive federal grants or loans, so kudos to you for getting that done.

For those who have not yet completed the FAFSA, or wish to review our tips for effectively filing your FAFSA, in order to maximize your financial aid benefit package, (click here). Remember, you can always resubmit your FAFSA with updated data, which may lower your EFC (we’ll discuss EFC in greater detail shortly).

For the rest of you that completed and submitted your FAFSA and are wondering what to do next; you’ll have to wait as the Department of Education processes your application. When they’re finished they will send both you and the schools you highlighted on the FAFSA a three page report called a Student Aid Report (SAR).

The SAR is a report of what the government believes you can afford to pay out of pocket for college in the form of EFC, or Expected Family Contribution. This number is located in the top right hand corner. The lower the EFC number the greater the financial need.

As mentioned, the SAR is also sent to the colleges of your choice (up to six schools max), from which they create a financial aid awards letter detailing what aid they’re able to offer you. You will most likely receive this awards letter in the mail.

The awards letter is a comprehensive breakdown of all school related expenses, scholarship and grant money you qualify to receive, work-study eligibility, as well as the financial resources the school feels you have at your disposal to pay for one year of attendance. They also give recommendations as to the best loan options available.

The most common loan option students take advantage of when paying for school is the Stafford loan, which is divided into two categories, subsidized and unsubsidized.

Subsidized Stafford loans are awarded based on financial need. You will not be charged interest before you begin repayment or during periods of deferment. The federal government “subsidizes” (or pays) the interest during these times. No payments are expected on the loan while you are enrolled as a full or half time student.

students Unsubsidized Stafford loans are not awarded based on financial need. Any eligible student can take out Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed, to the time the loan is repaid in full. No payments are expected on the loan while you are enrolled as a full or half time student.

Learn more about Stafford Loans.

For the upcoming 2009-2010 academic year the interest rate for subsidized Stafford loans, for undergraduate students, is fixed at 5.6%. If you fall into the unsubsidized category you will be extended a 6.8% fixed interest rate.

Private loans have also become a very attractive alternative these days with the prime rate at a 55-year low. Most private loans do require a co-signer. But the key is to send your FAFSA to as many schools as possible in hopes of fielding some attractive offers and limiting the amount of funds you need to borrow.

If you list multiple schools on your FAFSA you can use one school’s offer (awards letter) against another to try and land a better deal. Most schools generally set a May 1 deadline, which is why the financial aid officers refer to April as haggle month. Students and parents generally try to haggle for a better deal before the May 1 deadline.

So as you can see the FAFSA is just the beginning of the financial aid process, with many more steps in tow. But unlike the little engine that could, which repeated its motto I-think-I-can, as it climbed over that mountain top, I-know-you can! I know you can get thru the financial aid process, although sometimes it can seem daunting and overwhelming. You can do it, I just know you can.

Apply for a Federal Stafford Loan Now.

For all you hungry scholarshippoints members out there enjoy this code worth 10 points, FAFSADONE.

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Filed under: College, FAFSA, Federal Work-Study, Financial Aid, Private Student Loans, Stafford Loan

Ben Fidder says

Very informative article wish i would have had it befor i started school

March 4th, 2009 | #

great article

Steve says

I think It’s important to differentiate between graduate stafford loans and undergraduate stafford loans.

Allison Lawrence says

Thanks for the information! This was a great help!

Doug says

Fafsa is very helpful

Irfan Raza says

Wow I still need to get started on my FAFSA, but waiting on my tax return papers.

Allison says

I found that filing FAFSA to be the most annoying thing ever! I also find that the ones who need money, HELLO ME!, tend to get the least financial aid because the government thinks that I am well off when I am not. School is expensive which is why I thank God for scholarships and his grace!

Chris says

it’s just getting so hard to meet the costs of school while trying to actually live. there needs to be more help

Max Esayev says

Although this article does present the information in a concise and easy to understand format, it does not present much beyond the obvious. I was hoping for something a bit more useful or detailed from the article.

Allie says

I find the FAFSA to be annoying. That is why my mom does it I could not find the patience or the time to get it done with all the school work that I need to get done. The first time I completed the FAFSA there was tears, it was so hard and I could not figure anything out. My school though helped out a lot, I encourage future students who have never filled out the FAFSA to call their school, most schools are here to help you!

Nicholas says

thanks

FAFSADONE

DEVONTAVIAN BROWN says

This has been very helpful. thank you.

erwin says

interesting

Hope Ekholm says

Thanks for this post! Filling out the FAFSA and dealing with financial stresses of college is so frustrating!

Heather says

Thanks for the info I wasnt quite sure what to do next!

Michael Baran says

We have filled out the FAFSA form already and just waiting for the response from the college our son is going to. Do not understand everything on the FAFSA form, but figured it out and signed electronically. It took about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to fill out the form.

hillary says

why is the interest rate cheeper to buy cars and trucks than it is to get a student loan? who said it was the best investment was to invest in your self? loans are making it increasingly difficult to do so. i guess thats why there is scholarships for the orgnized.

Amanda says

I didn’t know all that, i’ll have to keep in mind when I finish my Fafsa this information.

Scott R Allen says

Thank you for this information it was very helpful. I’m very glad I did mine early. Also thank you for the extra points as well.

Daliz Palacios says

Very Informative

College Search Guru says

Thanks – This is a question I hear all the time. Not many students know they have to actually apply for scholarships, grants and loans in addition to completing the FAFSA.

Lina says

FAFSA helped me out a lot

Mia Manning says

thanks, FAFSA!

This was a very helpful article.

kristen says

subsadized stafford loan seems the way to go after fafsa.

Zachary says

It is interesting that you have the ability to haggle over the loan and the amount of awards that you recieve.

Brittany Hill says

This information was very helpful. The statement at the end about the little engine, is what got me. It is very true, financial aid is hard, but we can all get through it.

Andrew Dyer says

do you think fafsa applications will phase out under new administration?

Melissa says

Filling out the FAFSA form was time consuming, but really easy. Whenever I had a question or was stuck on a section, I was able to call an 800 number, and I received detailed answers each time. It’s a process that takes a while, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it in the long run!

Jennifer says

I think that FAFSA does not take into account other variables that might affect how much money the student is actually receiving from other sources besides themselves. I think it should be a more thorough investigation into the amount of money the student is receiving, like location of residency, cost of living there, etc.

Anne Wooff says

Thx 4 the info, I need lots of funding for my BA in CJ to continue my studies and get my foot in the door of the prosecutor’s office here in my area.

Alex England says

i did my fafsa

chelsea saechao says

thanks! this was very helpful

marshalette joseph says

This is great information

Scott Ruggiero says

Extremely helpful for my higher education.

David Bonvie says

This is in response to Andrew’s query.

No, I do not believe the FAFSA will phase out under the Obama administration. They are actually trying to increase the amount of aid students are eligible for, whether that be in grants or federal loans. The FAFSA will be with us for a while.

TEKEY says

I DID MY FASFA

This is in reply to Irfan’s comment about waiting to get his tax return papers back before filing the FAFSA.

You don’t need to have your tax information in hand when you complete your FAFSA. What I would advise doing is using your last pay stub of 2008 and approximating from that. You can always make necessary adjustments later. The more time that passes the lower your chances of getting some financial aid that is on a first come first serve basis.

Bethany says

Very helpful and informative.

Great point that Steve made about differentiating between graduate and undergraduate Stafford loans.

All sub & unsubsidized Graduate Stafford loans have a fixed 6.8% interest rate, effective July 1, while undergrad Stafford loans are dropping to 5.6% for sub and staying at 6.8% for unsub.

Tara says

This was very informative and very helpful

Rachel says

Good article

Brittany says

This article was great…I absolutely hate filling out my fafsa. But as the article says its an absolute must!

Mia says

I feel like the FAFSA process is so overwhelming! I filled everything out and now the financial aid office at my school wants copies of mine and my parent’s tax information, so I hope this FAFSA is worth it

Kristyn says

Thank you this information was very helpful!

Iesha says

sheri says

thank you for the information

Jesica says

I did not know much about the SAR and EFC, but now that I read this I understand it more.

Hello Mia,

I agree that the FAFSA can be overwhelming, but I assure you it is well worth it. It unlocks many doors which would otherwise be closed.

anwyllyd says

good article. I couldn’t go to school without the fafsa

ryan harrison says

good article, very informitive

Brittney says

hopefully the FAFSA will be around for along time. its gotten me so far and very informative article

Julia says

As much as the FAFSA is encouraged, it doesn’t seem to help students who are still in school, but not 24 (and therefore an independent). FAFSA ASSUMES your parents will help you with your tuition or other expenses. If they don’t help you, FAFSA isn’t much good because it doesn’t take into account that you are paying for your own education.

Jessica Navarro says

I didnt receive any money as a sophmore in college and i applied for fafsa. =-(

Michelle says

I always fill out fafsa but my efc is always just high enough that I do not receive any aid. My bank account is dry but they tell me I should have the money to pay for college myself! The do not take into consideration all of the expenses people have.

Buffy Balderston says

Great Info!

Ashley says

Very informative, thanks!

I didn’t know anything about the SAR. This was really helpful.

Vivian says

Thank you so much for sharing this information.

Cindy Isenhour says

For some reason my EFC almost doubled this year, but I made about $2000 more on my 1040. This will be my daughter’s senior year coming up and I sure hope we still get the subsidized Stafford Load.

Dennis says

Good article that help explain the FAFSA. I wish that it would explain the SAR process a little more. I personally do not like how it does not take current situations into effect only last years taxes. Oh well. Otherwise nicely done

delexis says

i did my fafsa and am waiting on a respone and i hope i get it because with out it or any help i cant go to school. this artical is very informational and help me understand what it was that i applied for.

MacIntact says

I think that was a great help… thank you

Yesenia says

College is just getting harder and harder to finance.

kelly says

I really liked this article it really got me thinking.

Jay says

This message is in response to Dennis who wanted to know more about the SAR.

You had mentioned that you wish the FAFSA would take into consideration current situations. It does and it doesn’t. By that I mean that it is looking at 2008 finances, however, you can speak to the school’s FAO to see if you qualify for a professional overturn given your current status.

I finally got my fafsa done and I’m glad i found this article to read for the up coming future..

This article was very informative!!!!

Jessica says

why does it take so long for the award letters? This was helpful especially about the loans-before I had just ignored them because I didn’t understand it wasn’t a normal loan- they are still scary but not as much now.

Kaitlyn says

A very informative article about the FAFSA!!!

Richard says

The fafsa has assisted me in finding additional money for my higher education. Placing the government financial informing information in one place is like the invention of sliced bread.

Stephanie says

Thanks for clearing some stuff up.

Jojo says

This helps me out a lot.

ashley says

this is reall beneficial

this is really beneficial

great advice!

Heba says

Thanks for the information.

helen says

it is better to get your fafsa completed early so you have a better chance of getting accepted for financial help. with the economy issues and all it is a game of a lucky draw to get aid now a days

katie says

I never enjoy filling out the Fafsa, but it’s always worth it!

Stacy says

completed my FAFSA.. great article!

adrien says

I didn’t know that the unsubsidized stafford loans were not awarded based on financial need?! Thanks for the info..informational article : )

Christine says

It is nice to know what I can expect next.

Cassie says

thanks! It’s hard when you are a graduate student and working full time!

Bria says

It’s always good to know the next step.

mathew says

I definitely won’t forget to file this out, we need all the help we can get

Alston says

great advice. this was quite helpful

Jeanne Brunt says

this was very informative

cynthia says

filling out my fasa online was really easy, and convient after having read this article

jennifer says

great article! thanks for the current interest rates!

great article – thanks for the current interest rates!

Morgan says

i wish grad school was free.

if education were cheaper more people would be educated!

Laura says

This article helped a lot, I got back my fasfa summary and did not know what it meant or what to do. This helpd me understand that.

Miranda says

Thanks

This article helped a lot, I got back my fasfa summary and did not know what it meant or what to do. This helped me understand that.

Kimberly Dominguez says

I finished my FAFSA although I wish I would of read this before I filled it out. Very informative

this was very informative. I filled out my FAFSA

Lynne says

Why is there really no help after you’ve been in school a while, and less is available in regards to financial aid. I pick a school this is my second sememster and my second degree in 3 yrs,Divorced bad credit and to lovely dependents. So strange, no life after fasfa.

It was very informative. I filled my FAFSA out

Crystal says

yoli says

good article

charlie says

awesome! fafsa was very confusing and this information definitely helped!

Jared says

good information helped alot

Dan says

I finished the FAFSA. Still waiting on my SAR

Maria says

really helpful!

amanda says

thanks for all the info!

Angela Palmer says

Very helpful. Wish I would have had it when I filed

Nice article

Mackenzie says

wow…i agree…the FAFSA process is really overwhelming…so if finding grants and knowing if they are right for u

Sara says

Thanks for the great information. Much needed!!

Cat says

FAFSA done and easy the second time around they auto fill your information

joe says

very informative

DAIANA says

LOTS OF INFORMATION. GOOD TO KNOW WHAT THE RATES ARE FOR THE LOANS.

JUST READ IT AGAIN TO MAKE SURE I DIDN’T MISS ANYTHING. GOOD STUFF!

JP says

This is a good article, very informative.

Agnes says

I have filled out the FAFSA a few times in the past … but to be honest, some of the information here waas still new to me. Thanks

Trent says

CJJ says

If not for FAFSA I wouldn’t be able to afford school right now.

Felecia says

Sheena says

Thanks for the information it was really helpful and I’m every happy that i got a hold of this info.

Van says

YAY FAFSA i got that out of the way! This was very informative by the way.

Jamie says

I dont find the FAFSA to be too difficult, in fact i fill it out for both me and my 2 siblings every year.

Thomas says

That clears things up for me.

Nikki says

i have had mine done for awhile now and reading this was very informational

My fafsa is complete, this was good information.

Trevon says

This article is very good and also very helpful. I got my FAFSA done early so hopefully thats the right thing to do.

Ben says

Good Advise

aisha says

I final did my FASFA…and i am happy i found this article. I realized so many things with this article.

I did my FASFA… and i like this article!

I think that this article was very informative to me. It was very helpful.

Adora Sayre says

This article is very helpful. Letting people know the different interest rates depending on subsidized and unsubsidized can make a big difference. I think it is also important tp let people know what the EFC number on the SAR means. SOme people think it means the amount of money you get.

Thanks for the information

Jenna says

Thanks for this article! I just finished my FASFA and am awaiting what they say…

Holly Watts says

great article have filled mine out

carla says

this is good information

SACHET says

I am already overwelmed with the Fafsa… Now I know that I am only half way done with the financing! That’s good to expect!

Paige says

Fafsa is very interesting and I got it done a long time ago.

Marlene says

I think this article was very helpful and more now that I am one of the students that have finished their Fafsa.

Holly Thomas says

I’ve filed my FASFA, my only wish is that the financial information would also be used to qualify me for other grants and/or scholarships. I have a subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford but neither help with my living expenses while in school…. All of this debt and I’m still struggling.

myranda says

very helpful

MAtthew says

This was very informative. Helped me get the best adi package I could.

Rebecca says

Good information.

Frank says

FAFSADONE…Thanks for the Info.

karla carrillo says

really helpfull

stephanie says

im glad i filled out my Fasfa before i read this. my teachers couldnt stress it enough to fill it out and im glad i did

Bianca says

Awesome article

angel says

very good information

Sierra says

Thanks! It was really informative.

Dawn says

Helpful info!

Ed says

Fafsa is done and I truly thank you for the direction. It has been a number of years since I have been back to college and with only half way through my first semester back, this is well written and easily understood. Thank You.

Claudiu says

This article gives anyone thinking about possible sources to finance their education a good understanding of the types of financing tools available out there.

zee says

I’ve filed my fafsa but I’ll probably have to resort to taking out a loan also.

Anjuli says

the article was so very helpful, i recommand it to those of you who have not yet completed the papers to get fincial aid…

I was kind of confused about what to do next after filing my FAFSA, but this article has helped me figure out the next step. Thanks!

Carol says

Great article.

Thi says

thanks for the great info!

Andria says

There should be a question on the FAFSA that asks about parental contribution. For students who’s parents supposedly make “enough to pay for college”, it is almost impossible to get aid. Especially if that student pays for all of their education costs on their own and the stupid government doesn’t even recognize that.

monisha says

hey i read someone’s comment and they said they were waiting for there tax papers to come in. I’m not sure if your talking about this years tax papers because you don’t need this years, you can use last years tax papers, its completely fine.

Michael says

very imformative

Robert says

Great information and very helpful

This was extremley informative! thanks

amber says

I agree with Ben, this would have been helpful before I started school!

Great information

Najima says

this is a very essential article for all college students.. Luckily i already knew this information ….Hope it can help someone

I wish I had read something like this before I started college.

Samantha says

Good to know. I didnt learn about fafsa until my last few months of high school. Good article.

Good article.

Megan says

this is definately very helpful!
thanks!

March 5th, 2009 | #

Krishawn says

“You will not be charged interest before you begin repayment or during periods of deferment”
this is about the stafford loans…its nice that they have this option

Kaitlin says

FASFA! it’s an easy way to get money!

Carlos says

Thanks for the info!!

This is some really interesting information. I hope I get my SAR and awards letter soon!!

Traci Porotesano says

FAFSA is not only important for college but will help you enormously!

Jordan says

Julisa says

Already started

I’ve already completed the process, just waiting on the award letter.

AnnaMaria says

Great article. I filed my FAFSA and this is definitely good information.

ashley m says

Glad i read that.

cyndi says

this was a helpful article since this was my first time applying for FAFSA

helpful article thanks for the info!

Maria Clara says

This website reminded me that my FAFSA was due and let me get it in time. I also cleared some doubts I had about the loans I have.

Fafsa is an interesting thing! I hope I get enough!

I really want some help…..I need it!!

Very helpful in trying to find aid for school.

Shannon says

Thanks for the info! You guys are great!

ckimball says

very imformative, this is good information to have

Lauren says

nice article. good information.

good article with decent information. Now I’ll have a riugh idea about what loans to get.

steph says

this information is great, thanks so much.

Brooke says

informative

akilah says

I finished filing my FAFSA right before February 1st. It seemed hard at first, and I thought it would take forever, but then before I knew it I had completed my FAFSA and submitted it just in time. It was not as hard as I thought it would be! However, this may not be the case for everyone, and my enthusiasm may just be hind sight bias or after-the-fact recollection.

Sina Miniaci says

the Unsubsidized Stafford loans help out your funds for college easily!

Cynthia Fuentes says

Good advice. Thansk

This is really helpful beacause I had no idea of what to do next.

Hilary says

This information was very informative. Being a freshman this coming fall, all of this is very new to me. Thank you for the information – it gives me something to think about!

James says

I am about to submit mine and I think it is very easy

Codi says

the FAFSA is really annoying but thank God I filled it out.

already done with fafsa thank god

celina says

The FAFSA seems like a scary form but articles like this one really help

life saver!

brianna says

the article was very interesting i should have read it sooner

haley says

I just finished filing my fafsa and I was wondering what to do next. This article cleared up alot of unanswered questions.

Cara says

After taking 11 years off from school to start a family, financial aid is the only way I can afford to complete my education! FAFSA is easier each year because it allows you to use much of the same info from last year. All you have to do is update your income, etc.

Linda Graziadei says

Good article. Just the info I needed.

Erika says

Good article. I wish it gave more info on the EPC number.

Britney says

This article has really helped me.

Tiffani Carter says

I found out this information through my financial aid adviser but those that do not have an adviser should read this article!

Tiara says

This was very informative. I had that problem of wondering what to do now that i’d filled out the fafsa so this article really helped me.

Kerri says

I agree; filing wasn’t as difficult as I thought–but I’m glad it’s over!

Elle says

Be persistent. Good article

this article did state the obvious, i wish i could have found out more about the FAFSA

Raeanne says

i like this artical, i think it will really help me out

nate says

Good article to sum everything up about the complicating things of the FAFSA.

paris says

My sar indicates that my expected family income is 7,000 and my tuition for one year is 70,000 and it says I am ineligble for pell grants–how is this?

Alex says

wow great

Renzo says

Thank you very much for the article it really clears things up.

mayra says

joyce says

very helpful!

Winisha says

This website is very useful

Kaylyn says

Thanks for the help! I didn’t know what to do next

Tonia says

Although the FAFSA can be confusing,I do find that it is very useful to those planning to attend college.Especially those who have little money.It isn’t a waste of time.

Shanaid says

This is some great information. This process is very stressful, I just want to go to college and finish without alot of debt. I am going to school to earn money not owe more.

jovanae says

I’ve filed my fafsa a few weeks ago. This article is very effective.

Diane says

I wish there was a step by step online source to help students fill out the FAFSA. Scholarshippoints or StudentLoans should create a section for helping students with the small details and mistakes that are most common.

There is so much information that I need to check into about the FAFSA! This article was a good help!

Paul says

I really liked the article it was very informative.

Lindsi says

I had no idea about Stafford loans, this article really helped.

thanks i was lost b4

Amy says

This article helped me so much.

Great article! Very helpful

charles says

looks like i”ll need loans

asma latif says

Thanks, this helped a lot and now it is just a wait and see

Jessi says

I heard they’re actually having all students do the “random verification” from now on, which is an even more huge pain in the ass than the FAFSA. I wish my parents did this stuff for me, but alas!

Kaitlynn says

I filled out my FAFSA a while ago but I do not understand how to look at my SAR and see how much financial aid that is available to me. Do I have to wait till after May 01 to see that?

Mariah says

Interesting article. Lot’s of good information.

Lindsay says

thanks for the information!

Bruna says

Very informative!!

adam says

Good info.

William Justus says

Thank you for the very informative information.

I actually already completed my FASFA it was difficult at first but i got some help and finished it up. but thank you for this article.

Shilo says

I just filed. Crossing my fingers…

Katie says

fasfa wasn’t as hard as i thought it would be! but i’m glad it’s over with!

vanessa says

loved the artice very helpful!

March 6th, 2009 | #

loved the article very helpful!

Jolene says

Single mom, full-time student, two part-time jobs: bet I’ll “haggle”

Deja says

filing your fafsa can be scary, just ask for help… before you know it someone will be willing to help

Katrina Robinson says

This would have been more helpful had I known to apply to more than my first choice school for haggling purposes. :/

JENNA TAYLOR says

I FILED MY FAFSA

Danielle says

This was very helpful!! I appreciate this article because i just finished filling out my FAFSA

Dee says

Good article. I have not heard back yet from FAFSA. Nothing received in the mail.

Lisa Donnell says

I had already completed my FAFSA and summited it to my school. So i thank you for having a web site where I can get a chance to win scholarship money. Thanks

Mahogany says

I filed my FAFSA the 1st weelend in Jan. and the took alot of stress off of me.

Amber says

Well I filed for my FAFSA and am ready to go…this article was helpful though.

Brandi says

Yea this article is completly true. Without FASFA there is no way that some of us would even be able to afford to further or education

this article is the best piece of information that i have recieved

everyone needs to read this

Joella says

great article. i did my FAFSA already too

very informative. great article. I did my FAFSA already too.

great article. very informative.

Brianna says

very helpful and interesting

Heather Bumgarner says

Alot of very important information that is needed to guide student in the right direction for filing their financial aid. Thank you for creating such a great site.

Great site!

I like the site it is very helpful!

Scott Englehart says

The Fafsa was a little overwhelming if I had this info then it would of helped alot

Brittani says

The FAFSA really is not that bad, you just need to start on it early because it is time consuming. If you are waiting for your taxes but are afraid of missing your school financial aid deadline simply put will file in the tax info and go in and change FAFSA later. You do not want to miss your school deadline.

Summer says

I think that this article is very helpful. It is important to read about this because when we are going to college we will know what to do instead of waiting at the last minute to do paper work. I also think that financial aid is very helpful to all of us because if we did not have enouogh money to pay for the next year we can have extra money to pay for our schooling.

Nyra says

Great Info!! Thanx!!

Mitzi says

good article that form is very scary.

ashlee says

fasfa was long and annoying, but worth it i couldnt pay for school with out it!!!!

patience says

very informative, fafsa is great to use

syd says

now i know what fafsa does for us

March 7th, 2009 | #

george says

wow i didnt know that?!

pjl says

FAFSA is a bit overwhelming to the first time user, however, it is very easy to do online with your 1040. You have to make sure you resubmit EVERY year or you won’t be eligible for anything.

I thought the information about the unsubsidized and subsidized loans was very helpful in understanding what each means.

Marielle says

I agree with Allison. Though my parents earn about 60 thousand a year combined… that’s mostly because my mom works two jobs. One in the morning and at night… frankly, I consider that troublesome and should be considered an act of “financial need”.

good info

This was review of what I already knew about the fafsa

Jenny says

this helped to know what to expect.

MK Ludwig says

FAFSA is fun

Marie Angelie Inay says

I really want to win this scholarship.

Andriea says

very helpful, helps makes sense of things alot more thanks

sarah says

This site has proved to be helpful.

March 8th, 2009 | #

sf says

helpful

I completely agree with what Allison said! The ones who seem to need money won’t get any, because the government determines that we don’t. I just hope that I get some sort of scholarship(s) to help me out.

AShelle says

This is very informative as I am going through all this right now! Thank You for the help!

david aronson says

Tell me more about how to qualify a jr year student with no job just amazing straight A grades 5.0 GPA financial aid and loans without a parents signature or co signor

anthony says

thanks for that information its hopeful

Brad says

Oh now i get it

ruth says

Totally helped me such an informational article!

Information on the Stafford loans was really good, I didn’t know anyone could get it

mario says

fafas is great and also very important government assistances which helps student with funding.

Brenda says

Thanks sooo much! Very informative. this is great!

tina says

This article is very informative

Josh says

awesome

Adesuwa says

very helpful…thanks!

Regina says

I learn alot of information.

Cameron says

The FAFSA is a great great oppurtunity for me to enter the college of my dreams.

great article and tons of info were provided…

Aubrey says

I didn’t know I could update and resubmit my FAFSA. Thanks!

kimberly says

write now I am depending on fasfa for my finacial aid without it I wouldnt hve been able to start class. Im not financially ready for a student loan at this time.thanks

This is very helpful! Thank you

Fatima says

Great Info guys

March 9th, 2009 | #

Katrina says

This article was extremely helpful. Thanks!

Brandon Ross says

Great information for any upcoming freshmen and even those already in college.

Very informative and helpful.

Anthony says

Thank you SO MUCH

Myeisha says

Yes the fafsa may be annoying but it sure is worth it. Sitting down filling out all that information is worth it in the long run. I know im not the only one who knows when the checks get mailed out, waiting for the mailman to drop it off and feel relieved when its finally in your hands.

Lorraine says

This was great to read, thx!

Dil says

Finlly done! -_-

lola says

This is great information i did not know.

Jon says

We Just finished our FAFSA yesterday. We first did it online using estimates from last year & went back in & made final corrections after completing our taxes. Thanks for the help.

Tim Johnson says

Thanks for the great info!

Elisa says

The FAFSA is soooo annoying and it is very frustruating….
I finished after about 2 hours and I am hoping I did the steps right!!!!

Iggie says

Awesome!

CATHERINE DUSSAULT says

Very informative…even for a second year college student!

March 10th, 2009 | #

Camile says

this is very important

Alyssa says

thanks for the info. I finished the fafsa and my need is still great.

Sandra says

Wow!! Very Informative,thanks

leika says

thats great.

Eric Palmer says

Excellent article

I am glad for the FAFSA, but it is so hard to get money for schools that is not loans!!

Jason says

Right on!

SHONDRIA says

Very helpful information

Taylor Minton says

Financial Aid gave me NOTHING BUT TROUBLE this year. I didn’t understand what in the world I was doing and why in the world it was such a complicated process. Now I understand. I didn’t really that I was awarded money based on what I could afford. That is very interesting. I’m really glad to have read this. I might not get so frustrated next year.

Joseph Eatman says

I learned that there are 2 types of Stafford loans, subsidized and unsubsidized.I thought I would not be eligible, but I am ELIGIBLE under the unsubsidized version.

March 11th, 2009 | #

STEPHANIE says

Thanks, this did clear up some questions I had. Now I wish I would have finished sending the tax forms to all my schools on my list instead of just the last two. I could have been haggling in April too. Anyways, it was helpful.

very helpful.

Jodi says

after many years of going to college, FAFSA becomes easier and easier.

Joshua Lepselter says

Great Read. thank you very much

Thanks. This is very informative.

March 12th, 2009 | #

Mija says

I just finished my FAFSA 09′-10′ it was so easy I pre-filled everything, reviewed it & submitted!

christine says

i think this article is very helpful

SHAYLA says

FASFA IS DONE!

Cynthia says

Thanks for the information, it was very informative and helped me to understand the financial aspect of getting the financial funding for my education.

Ruth says

I’m so thankful for FAFSA!

the system sucks and we’re all be pulled in. As my Calculus teacher once said, ‘If the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off.’

Tarah says

Very Helpful..Thanks

excellent article

Joe says

fafsa is not fun to fill out, but hoping it will help with tuition, etc

very helpful article

Brian says

this is an excellent article

great article. it really helped me.

March 13th, 2009 | #

This is a great article. I wish I had read this eairler.

Milissa says

I agree that the FAFSA does not take into consideration other factors when determining “need” One may have money to pay for school, but does not want to use it all for tuition, other emergencies may arise or one could be saving for other goals besides education and does not want to start at ground zero to achieve those goals because all the money was paid to tuition.

March 14th, 2009 | #

Tracey says

This is an excellent reference article—it should be read prior to completing the FAFSA but better late than never as they say.

March 15th, 2009 | #

nathan says

WIthout fafsa I’d be in a lot of trouble.

I wish I would have read this first before school. But its great to read it all now. I can’t even see a school financial aid counselor till I feel it out.Very imformative

I found the FAFSA very confusing, but thankfully my mom sort of knew what she was doing. And it was so worth it.

David says

Very helpful information on scholarships

Danny says

FAFSA is confusing, but I did get some grants last year.

linda says

i wish sum one wood hav informed me of all of this usefull info

Blaire says

Thank you for the info!!!

very informative and helpful

Elsie says

I hate the FAFSA! The government should make it easier.

March 16th, 2009 | #

Dakota says

Thanks for the opportunity to apply for scholarships.

Sarah says

Man, I wish I would have had this before I went through all the trouble trying to find out what the heck I should do about paying for school!

i think this is some good infromation and should be used… but it is very hard to file for financial aid..

i think this is some really valuable information and can be used in the furture..

it is very interesting and can be used in the furture..

very interesting and can be use in th future..

great information

Britt says

Some new things, some old things but still useful nonetheless.

FAFSA forms are in. Does anyone know how we get the EFC to be lowered due to the loss of a job and major change in family income for the new year?

manu says

Even if you file the FAFSA as a graduate student, and have financial need, but have an undergraduate degree, one does not qualify for grants and need based fin. aid.

Sean says

This clears some things up. I still can’t believe the % rates for loans.

FASFA wasn’t as hard to fill out as I thought it was going to be but this article is very helpful

Monique says

i did not know any of this before but now i know im glad i read this article it really helped me understand

March 17th, 2009 | #

Great. It helped a lot. Thanks.

Shekia says

My FASFA IS FINSIH

Fafsa is oh so hard. I just finished mine, did it wrong, and had to re do it.

Ademola says

Great article. Thank you.

deanna says

good article; never really took time before to understand the stafford loans

Cristhian says

FAFSA is very easy. just do it.

Justin says

Tracy says

This article might be helpful to those beginning college but if you’ve already filed the Fasfa once then this information is common knowledge….is there anything out there that is more helpful?

March 18th, 2009 | #

I need to start my FAFSA soon!! I still don’t like the way Substidized and Unsubstidized Stafford Loans work, though.

angie says

got it done and for the last time, thankfully. 4 years is enough for me

julieboolie says

Good article. i’ll already filled out the Fasfa stuff, and it didn’t really help. it is nice to know what happens after you fill it out.

Mel says

GREAT HELP!! THANKS !!

March 19th, 2009 | #

tabitha says

Thanks for the great info

Kayla says

I felt this was a very helpful article to me. I had a hard time filling out FAFSA. My parents did it for me my first year and I had to do it this upcoming fall and ahd no idea what I was doing. This helped me out a lot. Thank you

Andrea says

it was very interesting. loved the article. extremely helpful

This is very useful as I learned more on loans. I really don’t want to take out any loan but I might just have to.

Karley says

I am surprised that it takes two entire months for the fafsa to be processed, but i hope that means they come up with money for me.

Carina says

FAFSA is so unnecessarily difficult to figure out. Thanks for the information.

Rita says

I agree with most of the comments already posted. FAFSA, though necessary, is annoying and tedious. I’m never really sure if I fill it out accurately and completely. I’m grateful for articles like this that help me understand the financial aid process a little more

March 20th, 2009 | #

The fafsa is so time consuming!

Chrystal says

This was an extremley informative post. I am so glad t have read it since this was the first year my mother made me fill it out myself. It is so confusing.

March 21st, 2009 | #

Lou says

awesome info!

Scott says

Thanks for the tips.

March 22nd, 2009 | #

baghera says

Kate says

great info

Adrienne says

I wish I had read this earlier!

Jenna ONeil says

I hate the fasfa form its long and repetitive

Enjoyed the article. Emphasized things I had learned earlier when my older siblings attended college. The “refresher” was worthwhile.

March 23rd, 2009 | #

Brandon says

Thanks for the info

Cool

aminata says

wow!!!! very helpful information. thank you

March 24th, 2009 | #

I’m glad people are making more attempts like this article to ease the confusion on college students

Danica says

I’m so glad I read this!

Kali says

helpful and informative. I learned something! Thanks!

Sammy says

Great, informative, funny. Aravenous new shoe for the fools of york!

March 25th, 2009 | #

Very informative wish I had this when I filled it out,Thank You.

Haylee Carringer says

I filled out my FAFSA and had no idea what to do next, but with the help of this site, I managed to figure it out much more easily. Thanks!

Leah Sweet says

fafsa was a great stuggle for me and I wish I had found this sooner!

good stuff!

The FAFSA seemsabit overwhelming.

Michele says

very useful information

my EFC says i should have plenty of money plus some left over to pay for college. too bad thats entirely not true because i have 4 siblings. paying for college is so hard…

Emily says

I never knew we could haggle over financial aid…

Candi says

I just completed my FASFA, this wasvery helpful info.

March 26th, 2009 | #

I really appreciated how the article made the distinction between a Subsidized Stafford Loan and the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Great article!

Mai Dang says

I already done my FAFSA, but is is a great opportunity for students to apply.

Margaret says

Very helpful!

Basically you just have to FOLLOW the directions to fill out the FAFSA. The directions walk you through everything. The minimum amount of time it takes to fill out a FAFSA is 15 minutes. It could take up to a half hour. Filling out the FAFSA definitely would not cut into your study time.

aubreauna says

Great information!!!

Kyle says

this is great but what can those of us who get into private schools that do not accept FASFA and other forms of state and government financial aid from students who live out of state?

Lisenny says

“WOW” THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION, NOW I KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM FAFSA, BECAUSE I WAS GETTING A LITTLE UNPATIENT AND CONFUSED ON THIS FAFSA THING!!!! THANKS!!!! VERY GOOD INFORMATION!!!!

I don’t know about you all, but the FAFSA was cake.

NaToya says

THANK YOU FOR THE INFO. IT IS VERY HELPFUL.

Jeff says

Very useful information. Thank you for taking some stress off our shoulders

Elizabeth says

very good article.

Tyesha says

Thanks this information helps alot..

wesley says

very helpful, thank you guys

March 27th, 2009 | #

Very helpful and informative!

Hello Kyle,

If you are attending a school that is not Title IV certified than you be exploring private loan options.

Hannah says

Thanks. My FAFSA has been filed – waiting for SAR.

Cydney says

Brandy says

I am so excited that I finished my fafsa form

Kara says

That’s a great article, really helps.

Mary says

That’s all good and well, but how do I find out if I’m actually getting anything?

March 28th, 2009 | #

Adri says

the fafsa was very difficult to fill out, is it easier every year?

March 29th, 2009 | #

great article, my FAFSA is done

I have completed my application but why I do not know. They were no help.

Ludem says

Wow I didn’t know most of the things mentioned on this aricle. Very helpful

Laura-Ann says

Thanks, now I understand.

March 30th, 2009 | #

Cheri says

Thanks for this, i learned alot. I really needed this info and now I have it!

snehal-patel says

THnx for the infor..very helpful

Thnx for the info

Wow, thanks!!

GRANTM says

thanks for the info!

thanks alot for the info!

Daniel says

Is the EFC for one year or all 4 years of college?

March 31st, 2009 | #

Good Article

Nicole says

I did my FAFSA and it took forever!

Keshia says

This article is very useful to high school seniors seeking financial aid.

April 1st, 2009 | #

Jackie says

Will anybody really read these comment or all we all trying to get some college money?

I filled out my FAFSA. Trying to find a college that loan officials will allow deferment until after graduation is something else. Being unemployed and raising a child and trying to find a job, which jobs are hard to find in my area, is a problem for me. I need scholarships to help get my education so I can find a good job.

April 3rd, 2009 | #

i used to really hate fasfa, i have been on my own since 19, and don’t ever get money from my family, so i thought it unfair that if i wasn’t 24, married or had kids that i had to file all their information that mad it so i wasn’t qualified for any help. there are to maney girls that marry to early, or get pregnet and get the grant and they aren’t relly trying to finish school. i finally terned 24 last year and was noticed that i really needed help with money for my education. i’m glad that it is available, but i really was upseting for so long to be turned down because my parents that wont give me a dime make to much for me to qualify. i hope that this isn’t a common story

April 4th, 2009 | #

susan says

This is a very informative article and I feel it will be helpful to all who read it.

Riley says

cool

Shaneya says

I have filled out my fasfa and this information is a lot of help but it only helped me out a little bit for my tuition

Jamileth says

wow…i no my efc is kinda high and now i have to search for scholarships

April 6th, 2009 | #

I did not realize how complicated all of the loans were. It is good to know about the loans before you just accept them.

April 7th, 2009 | #

Micah Binns says

Now I know why I have a hard time recieving scholarships

I still have to fill out my FAFSA. Oh boy.

Arielle says

I finished my FASFA!

karen says

My daughter already filled out the fasa….thank God her school offered a day to assist students and parents

heplful website

Liz says

I just did my fafsa.
it takes forever!

Wow! I am so happy that I read this….maybe it will help with my tuition

April 8th, 2009 | #

Chan says

This information was great.. thanks!

This is very helpful, but i still doubt that i can afford to attend my top choice

Sha-Kora says

I hate loans but it is good to know the difference between them.

Sharae says

This was really informative!

April 9th, 2009 | #

i wish i read this before filling out my fafsa, very good info, thanks

April 10th, 2009 | #

Phuong says

Fafsa was confusing.

I wish i read this article before.

April 12th, 2009 | #

Excellent article. Brings to light important pertinent information to the subject of finances and getting ready for college

April 13th, 2009 | #

Kayleen says

Good information, very helpful.

April 14th, 2009 | #

Jeung-Ah Pimentel says

this was quite helpful

rashik says

didnt see this article before

April 15th, 2009 | #

thank you for thid info

April 16th, 2009 | #

Patty says

Thanks. Very helpful.

Thanks. Most helpful

Thank you so much for getting me that much closer to returning to college….. I am excited!

michelle says

I filed my fafsa and got it back, but i got almost no money… =[

April 17th, 2009 | #

Charles says

I FILLED OUT THE Fafsa now waiting to hear from them.

April 21st, 2009 | #

Guillermo says

April 22nd, 2009 | #

Christina says

Very helpful!!

April 23rd, 2009 | #

Stafford Loans are great unless you are a graduate student when the interest rate is caped at 8.25% it’s still enormously expensive to take out a loan.

Stafford Loans are great unless you are a graduate student. Their interest rate is still up to 8.25% which is very high.

thanks, good info

Ali says

Very Informative. Thanks

April 24th, 2009 | #

elyse says

I think that it is a lot of work but definatly is worth it

dylan says

April 25th, 2009 | #

Zach says

That was a great article

Ava says

This was very interesting!

jenn says

The FAFSA is so confusing, this information really helps.

Catie says

Very Helpful

alyssa says

April 27th, 2009 | #

edth says

it was cool

April 29th, 2009 | #

shaniquia says

Good article it helps me out a lot.

May 1st, 2009 | #

Donna says

May 5th, 2009 | #

Mark says

I’ve always filed FAFSA…great opportunity

May 6th, 2009 | #

This was very helpful! thank you!

Angela says

Good article! Very informative.

May 7th, 2009 | #

Vilmarys says

Very good article…

Thanks good info

erika says

very helpful..ill keep that in mind

gaby says

Very helpful thanks

May 8th, 2009 | #

May 9th, 2009 | #

Trisha says

I just recently filed a FAFSA form and it was very irritating. I dont see why they have to focus so much on what a teen’s parents make rather than focus in on the teenager. It should have nothing to do with their parents. It’s what we need for college. I’m really glad that I got it over with though because it was really frustrating and stressful.

Lisa Sinclair says

Thanks for Info.

May 13th, 2009 | #

justin walker says

should read this before filling out paper work

Nastasha Morant says

This article was very informative and really opens my eyes to the different funds available.

Ryan says

Filling out the FAFSA is really a pain in the butt and honestly it does not always give aid to the people who truly need and deserve it. Good article though

May 14th, 2009 | #

madalina says

thank you

May 21st, 2009 | #

E says

I think fafsa is a great resource, easy to fill out and has a grueling waiting period. Hopefully coverage is given to those who truly need it. Great article on the different funds available.

May 22nd, 2009 | #

I like this resourceful article and how it informs readers of the different types of funds available. I hope I will receive the proper coverage for my master’s degree in the field of education.

Maya says

This was great information. I helped me to understand the process a little better.

I have finally finished mine!! It was a stress but I got it done.

May 23rd, 2009 | #

nia says

May 24th, 2009 | #

Pablo says

The FAFSA article is a bit confusing but this information gave me some new ways to approach the filing of it.

May 25th, 2009 | #

jessica says

this was good help, but i hate what my fafsa has to tell me.

June 5th, 2009 | #

I did my fafsa waiting for the results

June 8th, 2009 | #

SAM says

i NEVER AM ELIGIBLE FOR FAFSA EVEN THO MY PARENTS DON T MAKE THAT mUCH

Christopher says

Thank you for the information.

June 9th, 2009 | #

Great and Informative article. Fafsa is not a fun form at all. In fact, it is rather a pain.

June 10th, 2009 | #

Matthew says

They didn’t help me. They say my parents make toooo much money.

June 11th, 2009 | #

courtney says

Thanks!! fasa didnt help me out to much either my parents make too much now my mom s out of work.

June 17th, 2009 | #

LaWanda says

Well for me personally i need more money for school since im ouot-of-state and i have filed for fafsa but didn’t get much funding my older sister is in college also and tutition for both of us is looking kind of weak i really want to finish school but i don’t have the funds.

June 29th, 2009 | #

Adam says

Thanks, for the info. I have already filled out FAFSA and Stafford Loan and my mom filled out Parent Plus. I am hoping fo scholarship money to cut down the loan amount.

July 6th, 2009 | #

I just filed my FAFSA for the first time. I applied to college without financial aid, thinking that would grant me a better chance of acceptance. It certainly did. However, the school I currently attend won’t allow students who applied and were accepted w/out financial aid ever to apply for such aid through the school. This is extremely unfortunate, since I absolutely cannot afford the school I currently attend. I’m in the process of looking for other avenues (PELL grants, etc.) and keeping my fingers crossed. FAFSA was the first step. Now I’m forging ahead :/

July 8th, 2009 | #

Stefanie says

Wow I wish I had known this info before I started the process. My school had me jumping through hoops of fire because I was so confused

July 9th, 2009 | #

OMG this is the exact situation that im in now thanks for the info it really helped!

July 12th, 2009 | #

Judy says

This article is informative, but does not explain how the individual schools award Stafford loans, or how those amounts are determined. Having checked various bank websites, I see that the Stafford rates are much better. The Stafford website explains their loan limits succinctly. Having read this article and checked other venues, I will accept the loans. As a full time student, wife, and mother, I appreciate a better deal., especially since my eldest is entering college this fall.

July 13th, 2009 | #

This article was informative, but I wish I had read this before i had done my FAFSA…but for sure i will let other people know that are going to start applying for colleges read this so they can have an idea what they can expect and what they are getting themselves into.

Thank you…

July 15th, 2009 | #

Lindsey says

Yes, but what about Perkins loans and Federal grants that are given out? The author never mentions any of this…

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