The financial aid process: from figuring out the FAFSA® to winning scholarships

Whether you’re applying for an undergraduate program or grad school, deciding which college you’ll attend is one major piece of the puzzle. The other is figuring out how to pay for it. That’s where the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) comes in. We’ve broken down each step of the FAFSA process to make things a little easier for students and parents to fill out this important form to apply for federal student aid.

Step 1: Complete the FAFSA

The FAFSA, which is shorthand for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form required to be considered for state- and federal-funded student aid. States and colleges also use FAFSA information when doling out their own grants, scholarships, and loans. That’s why it’s wise to fill out the FAFSA each year you’re in school, even if you don’t think you’ll qualify.

To complete the application, you’ll first need to apply for an FSA ID. This is the username and password you’ll use to log in to the US Department of Education online systems and electronically sign your FAFSA. Parents and students each need their own IDs. Once you have your FSA ID, you can gather the documents and information you’ll need to complete your FAFSA. That includes:

• Your Social Security number (SSN)
• Tax returns for parents and students going back two years before the academic year for which you’re seeking aid
• Asset records like bank and investment statements
• Your driver’s license number
• A list of the schools you’re applying to

The application becomes available October 1 of each year. FAFSA deadlines vary by state and school, but it’s best to get it done as soon as you can because some funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Step 2: Review your Student Aid Report (SAR)

Once you complete the FAFSA, the Department of Education will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR). This summarizes the information you provided and includes your estimated your Student Aid Index (SAI), which is the formula schools use to calculate financial aid.

Step 3: Compare your financial aid packages

The next part of the financial aid process has to do with your financial aid packages. Each school listed on your FAFSA will receive a copy of your SAR and will use that information to prepare a financial aid package for you. This is also known as your award letter and it lists the grants, scholarships, and work-study funds the school is offering you. It will also include your eligibility for federal student loans.

If you’re accepted to multiple schools, you will receive more than one award letter. This college cost comparison tool can help you compare your award letters side by side and estimate your total out-of-pocket costs for each school. Keep in mind that you can also appeal a financial aid award letter if your family circumstances have changed since completing the FAFSA and you believe you may be eligible for more aid.

Step 4: Maximize grants and scholarships before applying for student loans

Grants and scholarships can also go a long way in paying for college. You may be eligible for ones that are available through the federal government, your state, the school you hope to attend, and private organizations—and unlike student loans, they don’t have to be paid back. Here are some resources you might find helpful:

• The free scholarship search tool from Discover® Student Loans lets you search over 4 million scholarships worth more than $22 billion. No registration required.
• StudentAid.gov provides a wealth of information to guide you through the FAFSA process and financial aid process. You can also use it to find and apply for federal grants.
• Fastweb.com is a platform that matches you to grants and scholarships based on your skills, interests, strengths, and student activities.
• StudentScholarshipSearch.com is a free scholarship database and matching tool.
• Scholarships.com™ lets you customize your search results based on your profile.

Step 5: Consider federal and private student loans

After maximizing grants, scholarships, and other free financial aid, you may still have remaining costs to cover. That’s when you may want to consider loans. There are two main types of student loans:

• Federal student loans: Offered by the government and some are based on financial need
• Private student loans: Offered by private lenders, banks, and financial institutions and based on creditworthiness

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