It is important to learn how to apply for financial aid since it's an essential part of your college admissions journey. In the 2021-22 school year, undergraduates and graduate students received about $234.6 billion in financial aid. However, every year over $2 billion go unclaimed because some students eligible for federal student aid did not complete the FAFSA.This guide will help you understand some financial aid basics to empower you as a consumer.

Your first step to apply for financial aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA). If you have also applied to private colleges, you might have to submit the CSS PROFILE too. Both applications are available on October 1 each year.

Check out these frequently asked questions below.

What is financial aid?

Financial aid is made up of money you receive from a college, federal government, or state government to help pay for college. These funds can come in the form of a scholarship or grant (gift money), loans or self-help (work study).

You’ll have to submit a completed FAFSA to get your piece of the pie. The FAFSA and CSS Profile are both available on October 1 of your senior year in high school. When you’re applying to a private college, you may also be asked to submit the CSS PROFILE. Around 400 colleges use the CSS PROFILE. At those schools, the CSS PROFILE is used in addition to the FAFSA.

Afterwards, you'll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary generally within two weeks of filing your FAFSA. This report will contain a Student Aid Index (formerly known as Expected Family Contribution). The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number used by a college's financial aid office to determine your financial need and the amount of federal student aid a student would receive if they decide to attend that particular institution.

Please note, some colleges meet 100% of your financial need, most do not. This practice of not meeting full need is called gapping. Even when a college meets full need, it doesn't mean it will do so only with grants and scholarships alone. There are only a few colleges that will meet your full demonstrated need without loans.

In most cases, students must take out some loans to fund their college education. Loans are not necessarily a bad thing. It’s more about how much you borrow. As a rule of thumb, you should not borrow more than the amount you expect to earn in your first job after graduation, or for the more conservative borrowers don't borrow more than half of what you expect to earn in your first year.

What type of financial aid is available to pay for college?

The main types of financial aid are:

• Grants can come from federal or state government, or the college itself. This is a form of gift-aid which means it does not have to be repaid.
• Scholarships are considered gift aid too. They can be awarded based on financial need or on merit.
• Student Loans are considered self-help financial aid that must be repaid. Loans are available through the federal government, colleges, banks, and other private institutions.

Here are the different types of federal loans available to undergraduate students and parents:

• Subsidized loans are only available for students that demonstrate financial need. The government pays the interest while you are in college. Students must begin repaying these loan with interest after they graduate.
• Unsubsidized loans are available for all students. Students have the option to pay the interest while they are in college (the recommended option). Alternatively, you could allow the interest to accrue (not recommended) and begin repaying the interest with principal when you graduate.
• Parent Plus Loans are available to parents of undergraduate dependent students.

The main sources of financial aid the federal and state governments, colleges and private organizations.

How to apply for financial aid?

To apply for financial aid, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. You can access the FAFSA online at fafsa.ed.gov.

Before you begin, gather the necessary documents, including your Social Security number, driver's license, tax returns, and records of any untaxed income. The FAFSA will ask for information about your family's financial situation, such as income and assets. Make sure to accurately provide this information to ensure your eligibility for various types of financial aid.

Once you have all your documents ready, you can fill out the FAFSA form online. Create an FSA ID to sign in and securely submit your application electronically. The FAFSA will ask you to list the colleges you are interested in attending, and the information you provide will be sent to those institutions to determine your eligibility for financial aid.

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After submission, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary which summarizes the information you provided and includes your Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is replacing the older term Expected Family Contribution or EFC. The summary goes to all the colleges listed in the FAFSA. Students can now list up to 20 colleges in the FAFSA.

It's important to remember that financial aid deadlines vary, so be sure to submit your FAFSA as soon as possible and check with the colleges to which you are applying. There are three deadlines: federal, state, and the college has it's own.

If you are applying for financial aid at a private college or university, you may be asked to complete the CSS PROFILE. 

How do I know if I am eligible for financial aid?

If you meet the basic criteria, you will be eligible for some kind of financial aid. You must be a US citizen or eligible legal resident with a social security number to qualify for federal financial aid. Some states like Texas offer state financial aid for undocumented students who are classified as state residents.

Some of the main factors that will impact your eligibility for need-based aid includes you and your family’s income and assets. While most of the need-based federal financial aid is reserved for low-to-moderate income families, you may qualify for need-based aid from some private colleges even if your family is classified as high-income.

Most of the highly selective colleges that do not award merit based aid will generally award need-based aid to students even from upper middle class families. Rice University, for example, awards students from families earning between $75K to $140K a full tuition discount. And students from families earning between $140K and $200K are eligible for a 50% tuition discount. 

To find out how much aid you are likely to receive try using the Net Price Calculator. Each college has one on its website. After you answer a few questions about your family’s income and assets before, you'll be able to see your net price. This is the amount you are likely to pay for college.

Your Net Price is an estimate of the amount you are likely to pay to attend that college. The only way you'll really know how much financial aid you’ll  be awarded is when you apply for financial aid.

>>RELATED POST: How to Use The Net Price Calculator

What is the FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, is used to apply for financial aid.

It is used by colleges to determine your eligibility for federal grants and loans, state grants and scholarships, and the institution’s funds. The FAFSA is your first step towards accessing financial aid to cover your college costs.

The FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a special form that helps students get free money (grants and scholarships) and loans for college.

This free money can be provided by the government, the state, and even the college you plan to attend. By filling out the FAFSA, you give information about your family's finances, such as how much money they earn and how many people are in your household. This helps determine if you qualify for any free money, which can really help pay for your education.

With the FAFSA, you may also qualify for loans to help pay for your college education. Loans are considered a type of financial aid that you have to pay back with interest, unlike grants or scholarships. There are different types of loans available. These loans are provided by the federal government and private institutions like the bank. The federal loans often have lower interest rates compared to private loans.

You can fill out the FAFSA online, and it's important to do it every year you need financial aid. Just remember to complete it as soon as possible after October 1st so you have the best chance of getting any free money you might be eligible to receive.

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When do I file the FAFSA?

You should be aware of three deadlines: federal, state, and college. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1 each year, allowing you to apply for financial aid nearly a year in advance. Although the federal deadline is about 21 months later, most state and college deadlines are much sooner. Since some funds are first-come, first-served, submitting your FAFSA as soon as it opens in October is advantageous.

Here are the three financial aid deadlines you should be aware of:

• College deadline: College deadline: Each college has its own financial aid deadline. Some colleges have a priority deadline and a regular deadline.
• State deadline: Every state has a different deadline for financial aid eligibility. You can find more information about specific state programs and deadlines on the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators’ (NASFAA) website.
• Federal deadline: The FAFSA federal deadline is approximately one year before you start college, starting on October 1. Filing early increases your chances of receiving an award, as some funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Your FAFSA can also be used for federal, state, and institutional funds, so it's important to prioritize the earliest deadline.

You are required to list at least one college (maximum of 20 colleges) on the FAFSA to receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). This report is generated when you file the FAFSA. You will have the option to add more colleges on your list after you submit the FAFSA.

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Should I submit the FAFSA if my parents make too much money?

Yes, you should absolutely submit the FAFSA even if you think you will not qualify for need-based aid. Even if you don’t qualify for need-based aid, you might have to complete the FAFSA to be eligible for merit-based aid. Plus, some colleges award need-based aid to high income families.

Many private colleges and universities, including highly selective colleges, will provide “need based” aid to families with high-income. For example, Rice University listed by US News & World Report as #6 for 2022-23 Best Value Schools in the country, offers a 50% tuition discount to families earning as much as $200,000.

Another reason to apply for financial aid is to access student loans with decent interest rates. For example, even if you don’t qualify for subsidized loans (need-based), you could access unsubsidized loans with fairly decent interest rates. Parent PLUS loans are also available to parents of undergraduate dependent students. These loans generally have lower interest rates and more favorable repayment options than private loans.

Many colleges require the FAFSA (and sometimes the CSS PROFILE) to qualify for scholarships and merit-based aid. Even if you think your family earns "too much" for need-based aid, you may still need to fill out the FAFSA to receive merit money.

What happens after I submit the FAFSA?

After you submit the FAFSA, a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)will be emailed to you. This will happen within a few days. You can use the same FSA ID you created when you submitted the FAFSA to access your FSS at Federal Student Aid. The report summarizes everything you listed on your FAFSA and will also be sent to the college/s listed on your FAFSA.

The FAFSA Submission Summary lists your family’s Student Aid Index (SAI), which calculates your eligibility for federal financial aid. Colleges use the SAI listed on your FSS as a basis for making financial aid awards.

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Once you receive your FSS, check it for any errors. If you find an error, you may be able to make changes to your FAFSA. Check with the Federal Student Aid for more information on what you can or cannot change.

If you are accepted to one of the colleges that received your FSS, the college will prepare a financial aid award letter. The award letter will outline your Cost of Attendance and the amount you have been awarded. in scholarships, grants, loans and/or work-study.

You should contact the office of financial aid at each college is you have any questions about your award. They will be able to tell you when and how your financial aid award will be paid out.

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How do I find scholarships?

Finding scholarships can be an exciting endeavor to help make college more affordable. Here are a few methods to explore in your search.

First, start by utilize online scholarship search engines and databases. Our website, thecollegepod.com, has a vast array of scholarship opportunities. You can filter scholarships by city, major, ethnicity and so much more. These specialized scholarships can often have less competition and may cater to a narrower pool of applicants.

Second, talk to your high school counselor. Many high school counseling office will maintain a list of scholarships won by other students. Plus, they have connections to local organizations and are familiar with scholarships where students have a good shot of winning. Check with your school's guidance office or financial aid office to see what opportunities are available specifically for students at your institution.

>>RELATED POST: 7 of the Biggest Scholarships You Can Win

When it comes to institutional scholarships (those awarded by the college), you can search the college's website or ask the financial aid office.

Once you know what opportunities are available, begin curating a list of scholarships to which you want to apply. Start a spreadsheet with all the scholarship applications you wish to submit. You’ll want to keep track of each application deadline, requirements, and other pertinent information.

You should start applying for scholarships well before the deadline to ensure you have enough time to write a strong essay, request letters of recommendations, and get other requested items together. Good luck!

When will I receive my financial aid award?

In many cases, students receive an award at the same time they receive their offer of admission or shortly thereafter.

The financial aid award letter will list, among other things, the full cost of attendance and any grants, scholarships, work-study and/or loans you’ll receive. Not all financial aid packages will contain student loans.

For example, Davidson College in North Carolina, one of the most generous colleges in the country, prides itself on meeting 100% of demonstrated need and making financial aid awards that are loan free. Students and parents still have the option to take out loans to cover their Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

After you receive the financial aid awards from all the colleges on your list, carefully review and compare the awards. Sometimes at first glance you might think one college offered you a larger package than another. However, it’s important that you pay attention to how much of the offer is made up of loans.

At the end of the day, you want to get the best education for the least amount of money.

Can I appeal my financial aid award?

Yes, you can appeal a financial aid award, and, in most cases, you should. However, you need to provide documented changes in your financial circumstances to be successful. Although some colleges will try to match a financial aid award you received from another college.

To succeed, you will have to present a compelling case. If your circumstances have changed – for e.g., job loss, illness in the family, or other circumstances — since you submitted your application, you should appeal your financial aid award.

However, you will need to provide documentation of the changed circumstances – medical bills, a dismissal letter, etc. You should also follow the instructions for submitting a financial aid appeal. This information is generally available on the college’s website or you can contact the office of financial aid.

Here are 5 Tips to Appeal Your Financial Aid Award.

Do I have to apply for financial aid every year I am in college?

For federal aid – yes. For other types of aid (for e.g., scholarships from the college), you will have to read the fine print in your award letter. Some scholarships might be a one-time award while others may require you to reapply every year you are in college. Then there are other scholarships that may automatically renew each year you are in school.

Most scholarships have some requirements for renewal. For example, you may have to maintain a certain GPA or full-time enrollment status.

When you receive your financial aid award letter, it is important to read all the details for the award. If the information is available on your letter, contact the Financial Aid Administrator to find out if the award is renewable or only good for your freshman year. You should be aware that some colleges might offer a one-time scholarship award to lure students to attend. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification before you accept an offer of admission. Therefore, it’s not only important to learn how to apply for financial aid, but also the details of the award.

How can I tell what college will really cost before I apply?

Most students never pay the full cost of attendance or sticker price listed on a college’s website. They receive some type of financial aid. The discounted cost to attend that college is known as your Net Price. Everyone will have a different net price based on your own personal financial circumstances.

To find your Net Price – cost of attendance minus any scholarships and grants you might be eligible to receive – you can use a college’s Net Price Calculator. Each college has a Net Price Calculator (NPC) on their website. This will display your Net Price after you answer a series of questions about your family’s income, assets and household (for e.g., number of children in college).

Remember, the Net Price is only an estimate and is not a guarantee of financial aid. In addition, all Net Price Calculators are not created the same. The better NPC (for e.g., the College Board’s version) available will take you about 15-20 minutes to complete and the questions will range from family income, assets and makeup of household (how many students in college) to GPA, ACT/SAT scores and class rank. Some Net Price Calculators ask only a few basic questions and, as a result, do not provide the most accurate estimate of Net Price.

In the end, applying for financial aid is the only way you will know your exact financial aid award. When in doubt, check with the Financial Aid Office at the college you plan to attend. They will be able to give you the most accurate information.

>>RELATED POST: How to Use the Net Price Calculator

How can I get financial aid through my state?

In many cases, you will apply through your college. Most students will only have to submit the FAFSA to be eligible for financial aid available through the state, federal and college funds. However, to receive state financial aid in some states you will have to complete a separate application.

To learn more about each state’s financial aid program, please check with the college’s financial aid office or visit NASFAA.org.

How many colleges can I list on the FAFSA?

Students can now list up to 20 colleges on the new FAFSA, released in December 2023.

This change aims to simplify the FAFSA process. The change is also a direct result of the current trend of applying to more colleges. In the past, it was common for students to apply to fewer than 10 colleges. The ease of the college application process has led some students to apply to an excessive number of colleges.

Listing more colleges allows students to broaden their search for the best fit without repeatedly updating their FAFSA. On the flip side, applying to more colleges can create an artificially heightened competitiveness in college admissions. Most students should probably not apply to more than 8-12 schools, as applying to more can lead to undue stress.

Each listed college will use the FAFSA data to determine your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid.

Do I have to list colleges on the FAFSA in any specific order?

Do I have to list colleges on the FAFSA in any specific order?

It depends. For federal aid, the order of colleges listed on the FAFSA doesn't matter. However, some states require you to list an eligible in-state college, sometimes in a specific order, to qualify for state aid.

To learn more about your state's policy, visit here.

Conclusion

Applying for financial aid can be overwhelming, but understanding the key components simplifies the process. Knowing what financial aid is, the types available, and how to apply are crucial steps in securing funds for college. The FAFSA is central to this journey, and filing it, regardless of your family's income, opens up opportunities for various types of aid.

Remember to renew financial aid applications annually and appeal your financial aid award if necessary.