Additionally, the FAFSA will ask a number of questions to determine your dependency status. Independent students generally receive more federal aid than dependent students, who must also report their parents' financial information. Find the Best Student Loans for You Advertiser Disclosure Lender Learn ...
The U.S. government offers federal student loans. It’s a good idea to take out federal loans first because they are less expensive and usually come with more borrower protections than loans from private lenders. Federal loan eligibility is determined by filing the FAFSA. The advantages of a ...
If the federal aid won’t cover the full cost of college, you’ll probably need to apply for private student loans. Not sure where to start? This guide walks you through how to get a student loan in seven steps.
How to get a federal student loan It’s best to start with federal student loans before applying for private student loans. 1. Submit the FAFSA Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to find out how much financial aid you may qualify for that won’t have to be re...
Complete the FAFSA The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, is an important document when beginning the process of applying for college loans. Completing the FAFSA really should be the first step for anyone on a quest to secure loans or other financial aid. You will create...
The application process for federal student loans is separate from the private student loans application process, and the lending terms tend to differ between the two. You’ll need to fill out the FAFSA form, which is free and opens in October each year, in order to unlock federal student ...
Choosing your loan servicer.When you apply for federal student loans via FAFSA, you don’t get to choose who your lender will be—and not all lenders are created equal. Careful considerations of your options could mean fewer headaches for you over the life of your loan. ...
Student (that’s you) Parent(s)/Step parent(s) Spouse (if legally married)You and your contributors can create your StudentAid.gov accounts in advance of completing the FAFSA. This allows time (1-3 days) for them to be authenticated, so that when you complete the FAFSA, all of your ...
The FAFSA is the financial aid form for accessing grants, federal student loans and work-study funds. Sarah Wood Nov. 20, 2024 Foreign Students and Financial Ability Each U.S. college has its own requirements for how international students can prove their a...
Higher education is a major financial undertaking, and financial aid is necessary for most students. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to creating a plan to pay for your or your child's education. The award letter lets students and parents know how much...