BY JAIME DEJESUS Choosing an undergraduate program can be a fun process as you take campus tours, read brochures and check each school’s website to see which is your best fit. But it can also be stressful due to financial reasons. Some will say to save the money for grad school or not to pick an undergraduate program that will leave you in significant debt when you get out. While this is important advice you should consider in your decision process, you don’t want to shortchange yourself. So how will you be able afford college? A simple but difficult question. As a graduate, you owe it to yourself to learn about Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA). The application will help you in seeking aid for college by the government. The process and forms can be complicated to wrap your head around, especially with everything else that is on your mind. A great tool is a book FAFSA: The How-to Guide for High School Students (and the Adults Who Help Them). It’s a comprehensive guide that explains FAFSA and its process in a simplest way that answers basically all the questions you may have. It also provides a hotline and website for more specific questions. FAFSA Here are some of the best nuggets of information that you’ll learn from the book, which is free for download at www. understandingfafsa.com. Explaining the basics The relatively quick read offers quick and easy-to-comprehend explanations as to how FAFSA works and why it’s so important. It discusses the online form and how the U.S Department of Education uses it to assess your personal level of financial need. You will also be required to register for an ID to help you easily log into the address. The online form makes the process so much easier than it was the past, so don’t fear even if you are technologically challenged. The form will always ask you to list the schools that you are applying to, to determine how much aid you are eligible for in each school. Each applicant can enter up to 10 schools and you can change the list during the process. The books also touches on how some questions may feel personal or revolve heavily on your parents; they’re asked to determine if you’re dependent on your parents because that also impacts the amount of aid you would be entitled to. The guide also has very specific information in regards to several potential scenarios, such as if your parents aren’t American citizens, if they’re divorced or if you’re legally independent. You’re not in this alone The book explains that filling out a FAFSA form is serious business and although the publication answers many questions, it’s important that your parents or guidance counselors are involved to help you first hand. There will inevitably be questions you won’t be able to answer without talking to them or information that you simply don’t have. Make sure your legal guardians are as involved as much as possible. For instance, you need to reveal your parents’ income to help determine your financial situation. Books and hotlines are great, but you will need the help of family and teachers. Never be afraid to ask as this is your future and you have to be proactive. When you’re done After you send your form, you still have some work to do. The book recommends that you monitor your email every day, as FAFSA will send you your Student Aid Report. You will then need verify that all the information is correct. Once you do that, you’re halfway home. Enjoy the process You only graduate from high school once and it’s important not to stress too much about money. Of course, it’s important to be on top of the situation but you also need to embrace the transition and take time to think of how you will make the most of your college experience. For more information on the book and FAFSA, visit www. understandingfafsa.org. UNDERSTANDING
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To see the actual publication please follow the link above