Federal Student Aid Resources
The Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) should be filed as soon as January 1st no later than March 31st. If you do your FAFSA on-line at www.fafsa.gov, you will get your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) results in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR) within 3 days. If you do a paper FAFSA application, it may take as long as 2-3 weeks to get your results.
• To be considered for aid from the state of Florida, you must first file the FASFA before April 1st.
• You will need information about your income and your parent’s income when completing the FAFSA. Their completed tax form will make it easier to complete the FAFSA. However, you may estimate if their tax forms are not ready in time to meet the deadlines of colleges to which you are applying.
• Due to college financial aid deadlines, it is recommended that you estimate your income information using a combination of your previous year income tax returns plus any current information off your W-2 form.
• Many colleges require a supplemental financial aid application and may have early deadlines. Check with the colleges to which you are applying.
• When you receive your SAR, check the remarks section for any required corrections. You can now correct any errors on-line and provide any additional information requested. Any delay in correcting your mistakes will delay your receipt of an award letter from your college. Sign and mail corrections and additions to the address provided if you do a paper form. However, it is highly recommended that you do it online.
• If your college has selected you for income verification, you must send a copy of your current Federal Income Tax form to them. Again, any delay in sending your income tax information will delay your receipt of an award letter from your college.
• When you have completed everything required by your colleges, each college financial aid office will send you an award letter that describes the aid you will receive at that college. If you think you did not get enough aid, you may request a review.
• Sign and photocopy the award letter acceptance before you return it to the college. Most colleges now do this process online through your student portal account.
• If there is a change in your family’s financial status after you have applied for financial aid (loss of job, divorce, death, etc.), notify the college financial aid office.
• You must apply for aid every year.