In a statement today, the Obama Administration announced sweeping changes to the FAFSA. Families filling out the FAFSA will no longer have to go through such a painstaking process just to see if they qualify for aid. With the new changes, the online FAFSA will see a drop from 30 screens of questions to 10, according to CNN. The goal, according ...

Unfortunately, federal aid isn't distributed on whether or not your parents want to pay for your education; it all depends on if they can. Parents have many reasons for not contributing to their child's education: can't afford it; it's the child's responsibility; sticky divorce. But your parents refusal actually hurts you more than they may know. Regardless of your parents' reasons, ...

When a college is considering your application, they weigh a variety of factors. One of them can potentially be whether or not you can afford to attend the school. Different schools have different policies when it comes to student need in admissions. The policies also affect whether the school will provide all, or only some, of your demonstrated need. While there ...

A mistake on your FAFSA can delay the processing of your application by up to three weeks. One in seven FAFSA forms is returned due to errors. It could happen to you. Avoid the most common mistakes: The most frequent mistake made is leaving a field blank. If the answer is zero or the question does not apply to you, write ...

It's time to fill out the mother of all financial aid forms: the FAFSA. Don't worry, it's easier than you think. But before you sit down to complete the form, make sure you have all the necessary materials. You'll need: Your Social Security card and driver's license, and/or alien registration card if you are not a US citizen. Your income tax ...

The US House of Representatives passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (SAFRA) on September 17, 2009 by a party-line vote of 253 to 171. This legislation eliminates the federally-guaranteed student loan program and replaces it with 100% direct lending from the federal government. SAFRA uses the savings to fund an increase in the Pell Grant program among ...

The US House of Representatives is considering legislation to overhaul the federal education loan and grant programs. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009, nicknamed SAFRA, will increase funding for federal student aid programs and simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. These changes will implement several of President Obama's campaign promises. Switch to 100% Direct Lending Starting ...

You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you want to apply for federal and state financial aid. Many colleges and universities, especially public institutions, also require the FAFSA. You must submit the FAFSA every year that you want aid. Obtaining a FAFSA The FAFSA is available in several formats, including online, PDF and paper versions. The ...

Filling out the FAFSA could be your ticket to some of the more than $80 billion the federal government provides in grants, loans and work-study programs every year. The FAFSA can also help you get state and school-based financial aid. It could be the most important financial aid form you complete. Find out what the FAFSA is all about. FastWeb's FAFSA ...

The FAFSA is a lengthy form, and somewhat complicated. Be sure to read the instructions before completing the form. Most questions about the FAFSA can be answered just by reading the instructions carefully. You will need the Title IV Institution Code for each school to which you are applying in order to complete the FAFSA. You can get this code from ...

Not sure when your financial aid applications are due? Here's a complete list of financial aid deadlines for the 2009-2010 academic year-- Federal and State. The FAFSA Deadline for the 2009-2010 Academic Year is June 30th, 2010 Also note: *FAFSA on the Web applications must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight time, June 30, 2010. *Corrections on the Web forms must ...

There are many ways in which grandparents can help their grandchildren pay for a college education. These include legacy scholarships and tuition assistance programs, educational awards for volunteering and community service, college savings plans and direct gifts. Scholarships for Grandchildren Very few scholarships are based on a grandparent's affiliations. There are many more awards based on a parent's affiliations. However, sometimes ...

Is your financial aid advice featured in The New York Times? Didn’t think so. Mark Kantrowitz, Publisher of FastWeb and FinAid, is nationally recognized as an often quoted leading financial aid expert. With degrees from M.I.T., Carnegie-Mellon and more quotes than Webster’s, he is the financial aid guy’s financial aid guy. Here’s his advice for these tough times. Kantrowitz strongly encourages ...

The U.S. Department of Education provided more than $95 billion in student financial aid in 2007-2008 (the most recent year for which statistics are available). But you won't see a penny of that unless you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can simplify the process with FAFSA on the Web. Are You Still Using Paper? If ...

Submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be a complicated process. From digging through information on your family's assets to decoding income tax forms, filling out the FAFSA is a hassle, so why bother? Here are five reasons why it's worth it. 1. Federal Aid Do you want some of the more than $95 billion the federal government ...

"I am a college sophomore and I pay for school myself. For the last two years, I have used my parents' tax information on the FAFSA. Since I pay for school myself without any help from my parents, should I list only my own tax information to be eligible for more aid?" This is a common question about the FAFSA: When ...

Sallie Mae and Gallup just released the results of a survey of how American families pay for college. The survey found that families are becoming more cost conscious in their college choices. Nevertheless, the majority of families still see college as a necessary and worthwhile investment in their children's future. Students from higher income families were more likely to enroll at ...

Applying for financial aid is easier than you think. Your first stop: the (FAFSA). For many schools, this is the only form you need. What is it? The FAFSA is the form the federal government uses to determine your eligibility for federal assistance (loans, grants, work-study appointments and some scholarships). Schools also base their financial aid packages on the FAFSA. And, ...

1. What types of financial aid do you offer? What are the requirements for need-based aid and for merit-based aid? 2. How much debt do students have when they graduate? What percentage of students graduate with debt? 3. If I get a work-study job, how many hours will I be required to work per week? Are part-time jobs available to students ...

Colleges all over the country are seeing a rise in applications for federal financial aid. In 2008, more than a million more students applied for financial aid, marking a 10.5% increase from 2007. In the first quarter of 2009, applications for financial aid are up 20.8% as compared with the first quarter of 2008. Not only are more students applying for ...