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Start preparing for FAFSA time

by Vicki Petersen

December 08, 2007

 

 

Start preparing for FAFSA time!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application for state, federal and college-specific financial aid. February is typically the time to apply as many colleges have a March 1 priority date, but now is the time to prepare. (Contact the colleges you applied to and ask about their FAFSA priority dates.)Follow these steps to stay on track:

 

Step 1: Request a PIN

Request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov. If you’re a dependent student, you should also request a PIN for a parent. The PIN is your signature for the electronic FAFSA and is used to track your financial aid application.

 

Step 2: Complete your taxes early

The FAFSA requires current tax information so complete your taxes early.

 

Step 3: Gather required items

You’ll need these items to complete the FAFSA. If you’re an independent student, disregard the “parent” items:

  • Student and parent PIN numbers
  • Student and parent 2007 federal tax returns and W-2s
  • Value of checking/savings accounts and investments
  • Value of business or investment farm
  • Child support paid or received
  • ADC/TANF welfare benefits
  • Social Security payments from SSI or SSDI
  • Workers compensation benefits
  • Other untaxed income such as veteran’s benefits, housing/food/living allowance for military and clergy
  • Student driver’s license number
  • Student and parent Social Security numbers
  • Date parents were married, separated, divorced or widowed
  • Parent’s date of birth
  • Alien Registration Number for eligible non-citizens  

 

Step 4: Complete and file the FAFSA

Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and submit it to the federal processor before your college’s priority filing date. The federal processor will send the results to the colleges listed on your application. If you have questions as you’re completing the FAFSA, refer to our new FAFSA Tutorial at www.educationquest.org/fafsa.asp.

 

If you need help filing the FAFSA, make an appointment with EducationQuest for free assistance.

Call the Kearney office at 800-666-3721, Lincoln at 800-303-3745 or Omaha at 888-357-6300. Call now as appointments for January and February are quickly filling up.

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