How to Apply for College Aid

More than 60 percent of college and university students receive financial aid to pay for tuition, books and supplies. Financial aid comes in the form of student loans, government grants, such as the Pell grant, and scholarships. Financial aid eligibility can be determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FAFSA, or by applying for scholarships on websites such as Fastweb and Scholarships.com. Although the amount of financial aid received varies among students based individual or family financial profile, such funds keep college affordable, so that more students can earn college degrees.

Things You'll Need

  • Social Security number
  • Tax returns
Show More

Instructions

  1. FAFSA

    • 1

      Locate your most recent tax return. Depending on your age, your parents or legal guardians also must provide recent tax information. The information is needed apply for a FAFSA PIN number.

    • 2

      Go to the FAFSA website and "Click" the "Students & Parents Apply For a PIN" link in column 1. Read the information about how to apply for your FAFSA PIN. "Click" the active link within the information paragraph. The link takes you to the PIN application website. "Click" the "Apply Now" link on the PIN website.

    • 3

      Submit your PIN application when completed. You then wait for FAFSA to send you a confirmation email.

    • 4

      Go to the FAFSA PIN website again. Your legal guardians can fill out for their own FAFSA PIN application to sign and confirm your FAFSA. Financially independent adults do not need parents or guardians to co-sign the FAFSA.

    • 5

      Go to FAFSA homepage and under column 2, "Click" the "Fill out Your FAFSA" link. The next page provides information about using a PIN for first time FAFSA users. Pick the academic year for which you plan to apply in the "Which FAFSA do you want to file?" section of the page and "Click" the "Next" link. The next page provides web browser compatibility information.

    • 6

      Enter your login information and "Click" the "Next" link. Complete the FAFSA. FAFSA sends your completed application to your colleges and universities of choice. The financial aid office evaluates your financial profile and makes a financial aid award accordingly.

    Fastweb and Scholarships.com

    • 7

      Register for an account. You must register for an account with Fastweb or Scholarships.com to apply for available scholarships. Fill out the website application to set up a username and password.

    • 8

      Login to your account. Click on scholarship navigation links. Read about different scholarships for which you qualify. Verify application deadlines and apply.

    • 9

      Submit scholarship application. Scholarship granting organizations determine eligibility based on the quality of your application materials.

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved