FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid
FAFSA is THE place to start. Just download the worksheet to gather up all of your information (tax records, soc. security numbers, etc.), then submit online. The Dept. of Education does the rest. You may not even need any other sources.
Deadline for completing web application for Federal Student Aid for the 2008-2009 school year (July 1, 2008 thru June 30, 2009) is midnight Central Daylight time, June 30, 2009.
Deadline for the 2009-2010 school year (July 1st, 2009 - June 30th, 2010) is midnight Central Daylight time June 30, 2010.
Beware of groups or individuals that offer to complete your federal aid applications for a fee. You can complete your own financial aid applications for free through the US Dept. of Education (FAFSA)
In years past, the federal government required homeschooled students to have either a GED or pass an "Ability to Benefit" test in order to be eligible for federal financial aid. THIS IS NO LONGER THE LAW!!
When I called FAFSA regarding my daughter's financial aid application, the representative that I spoke with thought that homeschoolers had to complete the Ability to Benefit test or be considered a non-high school graduate. After I informed her of the law, she looked it up and conceded that my daughter, a homeschool graduate, is entitled to federal student aid without completing an Ability to Benefit test, without completing a GED, and without a cover school diploma. She received a grant for 100% of her tuition and books. Your financial aid eligibility may be different, depending on your situation. But be sure to know your rights, in case the representative you get doesn't know them.
The FAFSA form this year does not ask about high school completion, but rather asks what grade the student will be entering in the next school year.
In addition to federal aid, scholarships are available through private sources. In order to receive the maximum amount possible, you should consider all sources of scholarships. Some of the smaller scholarship competitions may offer only a small amount of money toward school, but even $100 here and there adds up.
Consider a scholarship competition worth entering if:
1. You believe in the group offering the scholarship
2. You do not have to compromise your values or beliefs in order to qualify.
3. You are aware of, and agree with, all of the stipulations regarding the award.
4. The time it takes to apply (write an essay, etc.) does not interfere with your current studies to the extent that it negatively impacts your educational goals.
OTHER SOURCES FOR FINANCIAL AID:
THE SCHOLARSHIP PAGE
Lots of scholarship information
FINANCIAL AID
Loans, scholarships, grants, military aid, and more
ONLINE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID
MEETING COLLEGE COSTS
Apply online for scholarships and loans
COMPARE YOUR AID AWARDS
Figure out how much you'll have to pay
