12.31.09 | Do I need to file a FAFSA for graduate school?
If you are planning on attending graduate school in the fall of 2010 then you should definitely file a FAFSA this January. Tomorrow the 2010-2011 FAFSA will be available. Just like when you were an undergrad, you need to to file the FAFSA in order to be eligible for an federal student aid including federal Stafford loans and Graduate PLUS loans.
As a graduate student you are an independent student no matter what your age is. This means that you can file the FAFSA completely on your own and your parent’s income does not matter. Graduate students usually find that they are eligible for a lot more financial aid than undergraduate students.
Remember to file the FAFSA as close to January 1st as possible since some financial aid is awarded on a first come first serve basis. Happy New Year everyone and good luck with your FAFSA!
The Student Loan Help blog is sponsored in part by:

Can you tell me if Graduate students qualify for GRANTS? And, if so will their 2009 income and dependency status make a difference? I claimed my daughter as a dependent in 2009 -her senior year of college. She feels that if she claims herself and her son she will qualify for more grant support for graduate school.
February 3rd, 2010 | #
Thank you. This information is very useful.
January 13th, 2010 | #
This is good to know!
January 3rd, 2010 | #