Today, October 1, is the first day that you will be able to complete your 2020-2021 FAFSA. Whether you are currently a senior in high school or a student who has more years of postsecondary education ahead, you will need to complete it if you want federal aid. Here are some common questions we receive in our office regarding the FAFSA.

The start of yet another college/training school year is upon us. If you’re one of the many students who have completed your Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) and are anxiously waiting for your federal financial aid funds to be transferred to your student account (to help pay your tuition, fees and books), here’s a little advice – Be patient. There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your financial aid is moving. First, know that it is your college or training school t...

One of the most common questions I hear at financial aid offices is, “have you completed your FAFSA?” Most students, this time of year, have. However, there may be other requirements that you need to complete before receiving your federal loans. Your financial aid is sent to the institution, but before they disburse the funds, you may need to sign the master promissory note and complete entrance loan counseling. Here’s what you need to know:

You completed the FAFSA, you received the Student Aid Report (SAR), now what? Many students aren’t aware but one out of three students will be selected for verification. To ensure that the information provided by students and parents on the FAFSA is accurate, the U.S. Department of Education requires institutions to verify financial and other demographic information.

This article addresses some tasks that a senior in high school should be completing. It’s important to remember and write down deadlines and dates as senior year goes by quickly. Not to mention, some of these tasks will take some attention to detail.

You spent time prepping for the FAFSA and NOW you actually completed it! Yay! Now what? Within 3 to 5 business days, your Student Aid Report (SAR) is sent to the e-mail provided on the FAFSA or via postal mail (depending on how you submitted the FAFSA). The Student Aid Report or SAR gives you some basic information about your eligibility for federal student aid and lists your answers to the questions on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Happy Halloween! Have you filed your FAFSA yet? Not to scare you, but most forms of financial aid are based on a first filed first served system – so, the earlier you file the FAFSA the better your chances are of receiving aid that you qualify for. If you haven’t filed, yet, we are here to help – If you’re not convinced you need to file a FAFSA, well… perhaps this article will change your mind.

For Alaska students the FAFSA is your application for the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) and the Alaska Education Grant (AEG) as well as other scholarships and grants. High school students can earn the APS by meeting the curriculum requirements on this check list (download here) as well as by test score. To apply for the APS with the FAFSA you must list at least one Alaska school as a place you are interested in attending.

As of October 1st the 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available online. Before you can begin filling out the FAFSA you’ll need to begin with an FSA ID. What is an FSA ID you may ask? The FSA ID is a username and password combination that allows you to access, complete and sign your FAFSA electronically before submitting the form.

Answers to some common questions and themes regarding financial aid for students heading back to college this fall semester. It’s important to stay in touch with your school’s Financial Aid Office and to be familiar with your school’s different deadlines, particularly add/drop and payment deadlines.