Everything You Need to Know about FAFSA

Financial Aid doesn’t have to be a mystery: here’s how to apply and get federal aid.

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Student Aid, and it’s an important first step in helping to get the aid you’ll need to make college as affordable as you can. As noted in its title, it’s free to submit a FAFSA, and from there your application will be used to determine your eligibility for need-based state and federal aid.

It’s important to file in time, and the earlier you can apply, the better. The earliest you can file is October 1 for the following academic year. Since financial aid is typically given on a first-come, first-served basis, submitting your application as soon as possible will maximize your chances of receiving the most aid. Keep in mind though that there are different tiers of deadlines you need to be aware of along the way:

College Deadlines: You’ll need to be aware of these when you’re applying for aid from a college. Different schools have different deadlines, so you’ll want to check college websites or get in touch with the respective financial aid offices to make sure you don’t miss the deadline.
State deadlines: States have different deadlines for filing for state aid. You can check your state government’s website to find the deadline for your state.
Federal deadline: The federal deadline is June 30, and you can’t apply for federal aid for the following year after this deadline.

Don’t forget: Regardless of deadlines, it’s a good idea to send in your FAFSA as early as possible. This will give you the best chance of receiving the most assistance. The FAFSA website includes a net price calculator to estimate your expenses and possible eligibility for federal, state, and school aid. Each school has its own unique school code, and Connected University’s is 02382.

At Connected University, we want to make sure you can afford your education, and we’ll connect you with any need-based or merit scholarships for which you’re qualified. During your time with us, we provide ongoing financial counseling opportunities and resources to help demystify the process. We’re excited to help you along the way, but the first step is filing your FAFSA.