FAFSA is the KEY!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the key
that opens the door to financial aid. It serves as the application
for most of the financial aid from federal and state programs and
from colleges and universities. Even if you are not sure that you
will need financial aid, we recommend that you fill out a FAFSA
anyway
-- it's free.
You should submit the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible,
making sure you meet any college or state deadlines. The quickest
and most accurate way to file the FAFSA is
online. In contrast to a paper copy, the online form displays only
the data entry fields you need to complete. You also receive
directions as you need them.
To complete the FAFSA you are required to provide your signature
and that of at least one parent if you are a dependent student. You
can either print a signature page that can be mailed to the
processing center, or you can sign the FAFSA electronically using
your Federal Student Aid PIN. Your
parent will need his/her own PIN to sign your FAFSA. Your PIN stays
the same so you and your parent do not need to apply for new PINs
each year. To apply for a PIN or to request a duplicate, go to www.pin.ed.gov.
Remember, your FAFSA will not be processed without the required
signature.
If you prefer to fill out a copy of the FAFSA, you can obtain
one by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at
1-800-4-FED-AID.
The FAFSA may not be the only form required to receive an award
letter from a school. You must also complete the college admissions
process. Check with each of the colleges and universities you
listed on your FAFSA to determine their requirements.
If you filed your FAFSA electronically, you will receive an
electronic Student Aid Report (SAR) within a few days of submitting
your completed FAFSA. (SAR results may take three weeks if you
filed a paper FAFSA.) The SAR is the result of your FAFSA. Read it
immediately and follow any directions. The schools you list on the
FAFSA will also receive results.
Complete and submit the FAFSA through Student Aid on the Web.
Your CollegeforTN username and password may be used to logon to Student Aid on the
Web, and
data associated with your CollegeforTN account will pre-populate
portions of the FAFSA.