At this point in the admissions season (early deadlines have already passed, priority deadlines are right around the corner), college-bound seniors probably feel as if they’ve had their fill of applications.
However, students who wish to be considered for financial aid have at least one additional application to complete: the FAFSA.
The financial aid season will officially begin when the 2012–2013 FAFSA is released on January 1. What's the best way to tackle this important form? Keith Maderer, a financial advisor and author of the book, How to Get Your College Education For Less, recently posted step-by-step instructions for filling out the FAFSA, as well as some great tips for first-time filers. Here’s a sample:
- File the FAFSA early (between January 1st and 15th, if possible). You can use last year’s tax information if you and your parents haven’t yet done your taxes for 2011.
- Say that you are interested in both work-study and student loans (if you do not, you won’t be considered for either).
- Count yourself when answering the “other members of your family in college” question.
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