Qualifying for financial aid through FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can be a tricky subject. The financial aid application is lengthy and certain answers to certain questions can limit the amount of scholarship or loan monies that you can be awarded. Here are some tricks and steps to take to fill out the FASFA so that you can maximize your award money.
Instructions
1. Apply to the FASFA as close to the beginning of the New Year as possible to maximize your odds for award money.
2. Fill out the entire financial aid application-don't leave any sections blank or else it can delay your scholarships and loans or even disqualify your application.
3. Make the FASFA the first scholarship application that you fill out- apply for other scholarships later. This way, the amount of money you are awarded through other scholarships wont reduce the amount you can receive through federal grants (you will appear to have less of a need if you are being awarded money from other sources).
4. Consolidate your cash and liquid investments by paying off other loans and debt (or at least paying them down) before you apply to financial aid. This may help your chances of being awarded federal scholarships because you will have less cash, and more of a need for assistance.
5. Prove on your application that you have a real and pressing need for financial assistance in order to complete school. If you have other qualifying factors (such as being a dislocated worker), be sure to make that case for yourself, as well.
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