The 5 Steps to Financial Aid

We get it. The financial aid process is confusing. It's hard to know what to do and when. These steps will help you through the process - from getting free money first to making sure you can pay your tuition bill.

Check out the five steps to pay for school and get started today.

Step Three: Fill out the FAFSA.

The FAFSA is your ticket to financial aid

You must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to qualify for:

• Federal and most state grants, scholarships, low-cost student loans, and work-study programs.
• Pennsylvania State Grant Program.
• Many school-based student aid programs.

FAFSA deadlines

• The FAFSA can be completed after January 1.
• If you need to start the FAFSA before January 1, use the FAFSA4caster.
• For the Pennsylvania State Grant, the deadline is May 1.

The FAFSA process

Prepare	Setting aside time to prepare makes completing the FAFSA much easier. Make sure you know your individual financial aid deadlines. Apply for a PIN so that you can electronically sign your FAFSA. See FAFSA questions before you apply with FAFSA on the Web worksheets.
Apply	The best way to apply is online at FAFSA on the Web. More than 94% of students apply online. If you cannot apply online, you can submit a paper application. Applying online saves you time, prevents errors, and has faster turn-around times than paper applications.
After You Apply	You should read your results carefully and make any needed corrections. The schools that you identify on your FAFSA will use your FAFSA results to determine your financial need. Then each school creates your financial aid package and sends you an award letter.

Take action

• Learn more about Filling out the FAFSA.
• Apply online at FAFSA on the Web.
• Get the FAFSA on the Web worksheets.

Did you know?

• You DO NOT need to complete your taxes to submit the FAFSA. Just use estimated income and tax data and make any changes after you (or your parents) file your tax return.
• Be wary of organizations that charge a fee to assist you with the FAFSA. You can get much of the same help for free from your school or the U.S. Department of Education.