How does the FAFSA work?

Question

Can I apply before I even apply to a college, or do I have to wait until I am accepted? I will graduate in 2009.

Answer 1

You can apply before you get accepted to college.  It does ask you to put a couple of colleges in that you are considering though so they can see what you qualify for at those schools.

Answer 2

You can (and should) apply before being accepted. You should apply before your state grant deadline (i.e. California's is in March for the following school year). You can put a few colleges as potential colleges that you wish to attend and your financial information will be sent to them. I recommend that you complete your FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov) in January of 2009. Then you will qualify for both federal and state grants, send the information to whatever schools you are considering and get the most money possible. FAFSA only covers federal/state grants and loans. If you want scholarships, check out www.fastweb.com... a wealth of information.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

You can apply before you are accepted, but you will need to have an idea of the colleges you are considering attending since you need to have the FAFSA results sent to the school (also know that the college won't determine your aid eligibility until you are accepted).  You will need to wait until the application for the 2009-10 academic year is available.  That will be after January 1, 2009.  The application can be found at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Answer 4

If you will be going in the 2009-2010 school year (Which begins in August of 2009) you will need to do the 09-10 application which is available on 1/1/09 at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

You can always fill out a practice fafsa which even gives you estimates of what you may qualify for as well at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

Answer 5

Apply beginning of January 2009 then.