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October 5, 2020 by Mike Bergin

Fast FAFSA Facts

Few aspects of the college admissions process cause as much consternation and confusion as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better know as the FAFSA. This document is critical: you need to fill out the FAFSA to get any college financial aid from the federal government in the form of grants, work-study, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education. What are some fast facts worth knowing about the FAFSA?

  • Filling out the FAFSA is free.
  • The FAFSA isn’t just used by the federal government. Many states and colleges also use the FAFSA to determine which students get financial aid and how much will be awarded.
  • The FAFSA doesn’t focus solely on the applicant but also requires information a family’s finances, including tax returns.
  • The FAFSA needs to be filled out every year.

Of course, fast facts can only tell you so much. This topic deserves as much attention as you can give it. A while back, I invited financial aid consultant Kevin Angney to my podcast Tests and the Rest to expand on some critical questions about the FAFSA and CSS Profile:

1. Should everyone fill out the FAFSA?
2. What information is required to fill out the FAFSA?
3. How does a global economic crisis like a pandemic impact financial decisions?
4. What is the optimal timeline for addressing the financial component of college?
5. What is the best way to appeal and improve a financial aid offer?

Kevin’s explanation of What You Need To Know About The FAFSA and CSS Profile is definitely worth a listen for anyone embarking on the college process. Follow that one with our episode on 529 college savings plans with financial expert John Hupalo, and you’ll be a lot closer to understanding–and maybe even paying for–college!

cost of college

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Mike Bergin
Tens of thousands of students a year prep for the SAT & ACT through programs Mike Bergin created or organized. After more than 25 years of intensive experience in the education industry, he's done it all as a teacher, tutor, director, curriculum developer, blogger, podcaster, and best-selling author. Mike founded Chariot Learning in 2009 to deliver on the promise of what truly transformative individualized education can and should be.

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