Whether you are interested in scholarships, grants, federal work-study programs, and/or loans applying for aid is critical.  We suggest that no matter what your income level, apply for both federal, state, and institutional aid at every college you apply to understand your paying for college options.

To apply for aid, you need to know the forms and deadlines, especially if you want to maximize free money.  The federal form called the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  is used at every college that offers federal financial aid.  Each year, families can start applying as early as October 1st using the  FAFSA. Most colleges and states have deadline associations with the timing of your college admission applications so that you can understand your financial aid eligibility at the same time as you decide whether to accept the offer of admissions.  If you are applying for regular decision as a first year college student, many colleges use a February 1st deadline.

The good news is that most states use the FAFSA in order to apply for all state scholarships, grants, and loans.  Also, some colleges use that same FAFSA to award institutional aid as well.  However, lots of colleges (and some states) still require additional financial aid forms.  

Nearly 400 colleges use the  CSS Profile , a financial aid form for non-federal financial aid.  Here is the  list of colleges using the CSS Profile.  Unlike the FAFSA, the CSS Profile will cost you. It is $25 for the first college, plus $16 for each additional college. Do be aware that there are fee waivers for  low-income students.  Many of these schools may also require CSS Noncustodial PROFILE.  In addition, some college use the  CSS Institutional Documentation Service, known as IDOC  to ask and process additional financial aid application questions. Although multiple colleges use this form, each can create their own priority deadline dates.  

Other states and colleges use their own unique forms.  For instance, Pennsylvania has its own form for the  Pennsylvania State Grant Program  and  Oregon’s Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC)  has its own form to be considered for any of their state scholarships. So check with your state agency or your high school college counselor to ensure you know the form and deadline.  Many colleges have one or more forms that you need to complete to be eligible for specific merit scholarship funds or grant assistance.  

For more details on which forms are needed and deadlines, check out the admissions and financial aid websites for each college that you apply.

The primary form that every college uses for federal, state, and even institutional aid is the FAFSA.  You can start applying for the next academic year’s financial aid as early as October 1st of the prior year. Here is what you’ll need:

1. Create an FSA ID.   Both the parent and student need to use  FSA ID  to access the federal financial aid online systems. You’ll use this personal code for submitting the FAFSA  and submitting your legal signature on other federal financial aid documents as well. when you’re ready.  Just know it can take 1-3 days to complete the process.

2. Gather the Personal Information.   You’ll need your social security number, alien registration number if you are not a US citizen, bank statements and records of investments, and records of untaxed income (if applicable).  Hopefully, you will be able to use the  IRS Data Retrieval Tool in the FAFSA.  If not, you will need your federal income tax returns and W-2s for the prior- prior year.  

3. Complete the FAFSA.   Experts say it takes 45-55 minutes to complete the FAFSA for the first time. Ensure you review your information before you submit the FAFSA so that you don’t have to make any corrections.

If you need to complete the CSS Profile, We suggest that you complete the form at the same time you complete the FAFSA.  Why?  First, you need all the same personal information to complete the CSS Profile.  Second, you want to ensure that when asked about the same income and asset information, that you are reporting consistently.  Be prepared for more questions on the CSS Profile and IDOC if you own a house, have a business or farm, or have retirement funds.  One nice feature is that the CSS Profile also offers spot to add your extenuating circumstances and other explanatory comments.  Like the FAFSA, it usually takes 45-55 minutes to complete this form.  

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