General
FAFSA & College Money Q&A
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form allows you to be considered for federal student aid. In addition, states and colleges use FAFSA information to award their own grants, scholarships, and loans. But, since aid is limited, you have to meet the deadlines!
Federal Deadlines: June & Sept.
2023–24 Academic Year
FAFSA® forms must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time (CT) on June 30, 2024. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 14, 2024.
College Deadlines
Each college may have its own deadline. Check with the college(s) you’re interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline. Is it the date your FAFSA form is processed or the date the college receives your processed FAFSA data?
State Deadlines -- 2023 - 24 Academic State Deadlines
Each state has its own deadline. See the listing ....
FAFSA Questions & Answers
Do I have to have my taxes filed before I complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
No, you do not have to have your taxes completed to complete the FAFSA. You can use your prior year tax information as an estimate and then when you do file your 2021 taxes, you can return to your FAFSA and enter the correct information using the enhanced IRS data retrieving tool.
Am I a dependent student or an independent student?
For purposes of applying for federal student aid, questions on the FAFSA will determine if you are a dependent or independent student. If you are a dependent student, you will submit your and your parent's information on the FAFSA. If you are an independent student, you will submit only your information on the FAFSA.
Do I need a co-borrower for private student loans?
This will depend on your financial institution. As an example, some credit unions and banks do not require a co-borrower, but having one is highly recommended to help you meet approval criteria. Additionally, having a co-borrower with excellent credit may also help you qualify for lower rates.
Can I buy a laptop with my student loan money?
Please remember that any money you borrow will have to be repaid with interest. We recommend considering all your resources, i.e. Could you get a part-time job and save money for a laptop? Your school also may include the cost of a laptop/equipment when calculating the cost of attendance (COA). The COA may include not just tuition and fees, but also books, supplies such as computers, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. Check with your school’s financial aid office to verify what all is included in your COA.
How can I consolidate my student loans?
Once you've graduated, you may want to consolidate your loans. Here are a few steps to follow: 1. Gather all your student loan statements. 2. Determine which loans are federal and which are private. Hint: Federal loans include PLUS, Stafford, Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Direct Loans. 3. Federal and Private loans cannot be consolidated. 4. Federal loans must be consolidated through the Direct Loan Program. Visit www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov to consolidate your Federal Student Loans. 5. Some banks and credit unions will consolidate your private student loans.
For support as you submit the FAFSA or to get more answers to your College Money Questions, visit Federal Student Aid or call the Student Lending Hotline at 317.524.5168.