FAFSA 101
The cost of higher education is one of the most pressing issues for young people and their families. But there is one thing that all students who are applying to colleges and universities can do to help make their education more affordable: fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or as it’s commonly known, “FAFSA.”
Currently, 40 percent of New Hampshire high school seniors do NOT complete their FAFSA application, missing out on potentially thousands of dollars in federal aid for their education.
Nationally, high school students did not claim nearly $2.6 billion in federal aid that they were eligible for, and in New Hampshire, students left over $5 million of aid unclaimed.
This year, let’s change that.
Get Started on Your FAFSA:
This year the FAFSA is easier than ever to fill out, and is available as an app on both Android and Apple devices. You can also fill it out online.
The new app version of the FAFSA has also made it easier for parents and students to fill out the application; parents and students can complete their individual parts of the same application separately on their own phones.
If you have questions about starting an application, you can visit this page.
When to Fill Your FAFSA:
For the 2018–2019 school year, you can submit your application after Oct. 1 and June 30, and the program has a rolling deadline. Although the application closes for the 2019–20 school year on June 30, 2020, you do not want to wait that long.
The earlier you submit the application the better. Colleges and universities often use the FAFSA to make their own assessments of what need-based aid they can offer and different institutions have their own financial aid deadlines.
What you’ll Need:
If you are what is considered a dependent student (generally unmarried students under the age of 24), you and your parent or guardian will BOTH need to create what’s known as a FSA ID and fill out your own unique portions of the FAFSA application. You can find out how to determine if you are a dependent or independent student on this page.
Creating a FSA ID will allow you to easily access your application online or in the FAFSA app. Find out how to get a FSA ID here and follow the instructions on the FAFSA website.
You will also want to have certain documents with you when you fill out the FAFSA that will make the process go much smoother.
If you’re a student or a parent you’ll want to have your:
- Social Security number or alien registration number
- Your driver’s license number if you have one
- Federal tax information or tax returns
- Records of untaxed income
- Cash and savings account balances
- Investments other than the home you live in
Read more about what you need to get started here.
Need Help in New Hampshire?
If you are a New Hampshire student and need help or have questions about filling out your FAFSA you can contact the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation’s center for college planning (see contact information below) or visit their page of the FAFSA application process here. You can also reach out to the New Hampshire College and University Council (see contact information below).
NHHEAF Network Center for College Planning:
www.nhheaf.org
603–225–6612 or 800–525–2577
New Hampshire College and University Council:
http://www.nhcuc.org/
603–225–4199
There are also options for Granite State students to apply for scholarships in New Hampshire to help finance higher education. You can visit the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation to find out how to apply.
If you have general questions about filling out the FAFSA you can visit here.
Also make sure to talk to your school counselor or if you have questions about FAFSA and the process of financing and applying to higher education opportunities.
Commitment to Affordable Education
Recently, I wrote an open letter to New Hampshire’s college students about my commitment and efforts to make higher education more affordable. You can read it here.
I will keep fighting to ensure that those who pursue a postsecondary education are not penalized for it down the road. It’s also important that you know about the options that are already available to you, and that starts with filling out the FAFSA application.
I hope you’ll begin your application today, click here to get started.
