Apply for funding

Being admitted to college may feel like the prize at the end of a race, but it is really only the beginning. Applying for financial aid takes time, organization and diligence, but it can pay off in the end.

You may need to complete different types of aid applications, depending on your school. Check with your school to see which applications are necessary.

The main types of applications are:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, www.fafsa.gov Links to an external site.) — This single application makes you eligible for all forms of federal student assistance as well as many state and institutional aid programs. It can be completed online and is available October 1 for the following academic year.
• Institutional application — Some schools have applications of their own to be completed in addition to, or in place of, the FAFSA. These applications are submitted directly to the school and determine your eligibility for aid programs offered by that institution.
• Private application — Many scholarship foundations and companies as well as some schools use private applications to evaluate requests for financial assistance.

Applications like the FAFSA ask for household financial information to determine your family’s ability to pay for education costs. Schools use this information to award need-based assistance.

Applications for private merit scholarship applications may focus more on your academic record or other accomplishments. These applications may ask for personal essays that highlight your accomplishments and skills.

In all cases, applications are necessary in order to show that you are interested in financial assistance and eligible for the resource.

 

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