FAFSA award letter?

Question

On the FAFSA website, how do I find out if i have received any grants? Links would be great!

Answer 1

Michelle's exactly right - see? She's not just a genealogy expert!

Your financial aid offer letter is prepared by the financial aid department at your school. Hopefully, you requested that the Department of Education (the FAFSA people) send your financial information to your school (that was a question on the FAFSA form) - once they get that info, they'll use it to match you up with any financial aid programs that you qualify for.

Financial aid is awarded on the basis of need. You've given the FAFSA people information about what your family can afford to contribute to your educational expenses - now your financial aid office will try to HELP you make up the difference. (It is unlikely that they will be able to completely cover that difference, though)

When you got your Student Aid Report from the Department, it had an important number called your EFC, which stands for expected family contribution. That's the key to the whole financial aid program - your EFC score tells your college how much assistance you qualify for.

If you have "exceptional" need, you may receive grants (free money) from the government. You might also qualify for work-study, and you are certain to qualify for federally-backed student loans called Stafford loans. Grants and work-study are not repaid, but Stafford loans are.

Why not look through the booklet that I've linked to below. It's the government's introduction to federal financial aid, and it explains all the basics of how the system works. I think it'll help you and your parents understand what's going to happen next.

I hope this helps - good luck!

Answer 2

Fafsa does not post your results, but they do send you a SAR (Student Aid Report) and on this letter will tell you if you will get a Pell grant.  Everyone gets student loans.

Your actual "Award Letter" (with the exact amounts on it) will be mailed to you.... sometimes schools will post this info on the website if you log in with a student ID and password.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I'm not sure FAFSA actually posts awards.  I believe they send the information to the schools you indicated, and the school itself sends you the eligibility for grants, loans, work-study etc.  FAFSA collects the data, but doesn't actually grant the awards, the school's financial aid office does that.