Seniors Applying for Financial Aid:

We will have a financial aid meeting at the school in January.
Don't assume that you are not eligible for some type of financial aid to pay for college expenses.

Step 1
Apply for admission to the schools which interest you. Most colleges require that you be accepted for admission before they will offer you financial aid.

Step 2
Complete and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible after January 1st. This form will not be available to you until December of January. You may also apply online and it is much faster. The FAFSA gathers information about your family economic information to perform a needs analysis. Cost of education - expected family contribution = financial need.
Your parents' current income tax returns will need to be completed as as soon as possible after January 1st to meet some application deadlines for private and out of state colleges. Most Kansas schools have a deadline for filing for financial aid around March 1. Be sure to list all colleges and agencies you want to receive your FAFSA.

Step 3
Meet with your guidance counselor to review strategies to finance your education. Conduct a scholarship search and become aware of local scholarships to make available in the spring.

Step 4
Check with the colleges that you have appli3d to see if they have additional financial aid or scholarship forms they would like you to complete.

Step 5
If you did the paper application, watch your mailbox. When your FAFSA has ben processed, you will receive a SAR (Student Aid Report). Make copies of the SAR and submit the original to the school you have selected. You may submit the duplicates to alternate schools you have applied to.

Step 6
When the colleges have completed their own review of your financial aid application forms, they will mail you a financial aid package. This package might contain scholarships., grants, loans or work study opportunities. Remember grants or scholarships don't need to be repaid but loans follow you throughout and after college.

Step 7
Review the financial aid packages received from the schools in which you have applied. Schools which are more expensive usually offer grater assistance due to their greater price tag for tuition. when you decide where you want to attend and can truly afford to attend, notify that school. Also, notify the schools you will not attend so they know of your decision and they may offer aid elsewhere.

* Remember it takes planning to uncover financial assistance and you as the student will ultimately be responsible for this task.*

For more information and definitions, visit these websites:
www.finaid.org
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.studentaid.ed.gov
www.kasfaa