If you are looking for scholarships, grants and loans for colleges, DON'T pay
for information or applications! Here are approved FREE resources to help you
find a scholarship, grant or loan for college:
Apply for Federal Student Aid
You must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
to apply for federal student aid and most state and college aid. FAFSA on
the Web is the quickest and easiest method of applying.
New For 2008-2009 School Year: PDF FAFSA
For the 2008-2009 school year, you have the option of applying for
federal student aid by completing a PDF form of the FAFSA. The PDF FAFSA is
available for you to print and fill out manually or is screen-fillable.
Completing the FAFSA
If you're not sure how to answer a question on the FAFSA form and/or
you're wondering, "Why do they ask that?," or saying, "My family situation
is different, now what do I do?", Completing the FAFSA explores the purpose
of FAFSA questions and discusses how information should be reported in some
unusual cases.
Apply for a PIN
We recommend that students and parents request a personal identification
number (PIN) before applying for aid. The PIN can be used to electronically
sign your FAFSA application, dramatically decreasing the processing time.
You can also use your PIN to make online corrections to your FAFSA, access
your Student Aid Report, sign the master promissory note for a federal
student loan and access your federal student aid records online including
your student loan history information on National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
FAFSA4caster (New)
If you want to begin exploring your financial aid options and get an
early start on the financial aid process, FAFSA4caster is for you! By using
FAFSA4caster, you and your family will receive an early estimate of
eligibility for federal student aid. When you’re ready to apply for aid,
much of the information that you enter in the FAFSA4caster will populate
your FAFSA on the Web application, making the experience of applying for
federal student aid a lot easier.
FAFSA on the Web Worksheet
Over 90% of the FAFSA applications are submitted online. The FAFSA on the
Web Worksheet is designed for those who prefer to write down information
before applying online. The Worksheet includes a list of documents needed to
complete the FAFSA and shows the FAFSA questions in the order as they appear
online.
FAFSA Demo Site
This Web site is a demonstration version of the FAFSA on the Web, Renewal
FAFSA on the Web, Corrections on the Web, and Student Inquiry. It offers all
the features of the production versions, except that no data is processed.
At the site you learn to complete a sample FAFSA, make corrections, check
the status of the FAFSA and electronically sign the FAFSA.
Scholarship Search
A scholarship is money for college that you will not be expected to
repay. Colleges, businesses and other organizations sponsor scholarships.
Use this free scholarship search for finding scholarships that you may
qualify for.
Career Voyages
The Career Voyages Web site is the result of a collaboration between the
U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education. It is
designed to provide information on high growth, in-demand occupations along
with the skills and education needed to attain those jobs.
Publications
The Publications section provides access to a wealth of free publications
and application tools to assist you as you pursue education beyond high
school. You will find guides, brochures and fact sheets such as College
Preparation Checklist, Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to
Federal Student Aid, Completing the FAFSA, Federal School Code List,
Choosing a Career and Don't Get Scammed on Your Way to College.
Forms
The Forms section has information on the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA), deadlines for applying, a sample paper FAFSA, FAFSA on
the Web Worksheet, and student loan deferment and forbearance forms.
National Student Loan Data System
The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of
Education's central database for student aid. NSLDS receives data from
schools, guaranty agencies, the Direct Loan, Pell Grant, and other
Department of Education programs. At NSLDS Student Access, aid recipients
can view information on their loans and grants.
Audio and Video Programs About Federal Student Aid
What types of aid are available? How do you get a PIN? What's the
difference between an Academic Competitiveness Grant and a National SMART
Grant? Learn more about federal student aid by watching or listening to
these informational programs.
The more education you get, the more likely it is you will always have a
job. KnowHow2GO provides middle schoolers to adults extensive information on
the value of continuing education after high school, how to prepare for
college, the myths vs. realities about college and the availability of
financial aid for college. In addition, the KnowHow2GO Web site provides
resources for information on counseling, academics, and financial aid that
is available within your state or territory.
Check out the College Access Web site Going2College.org. This Web site
provides all the resources your state has on preparing for college, planning
a career, finding and applying to college and what state aid is available to
help pay for college.
