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Free help for college financial aid applicants

Local 'Financial Aid Nights'  an excellent resource for current, accurate college aid information

Working your way through the college financial aid process can be complicated and confusing. Being armed with information is the best way to combat the fear of the unknown – and using available local and federal resources is a great way to get the most current and accurate information.

A great local opportunity to get financial aid information is by attending one of the “Financial Aid Nights” offered at area high schools by the Financial Aid Office at Fulton-Montgomery Community College (FMCC). These events are not just for parents of FMCC–bound students, but for anyone who needs information and help financing a child’s college education.

If you have questions regarding an information session at your school, please contact your child’s home district guidance office.

Free application for financial aid

Another great resource for parents is the Federal Student Aid Web site, www.studentaid.ed.gov. On this site students and parents can follow the entire process—from choosing a college to financing your college education.

Students that plan to attend college should complete the free application for financial aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1. The FAFSA form used by nearly all two and four-year colleges, universities and career schools for the awarding of federal student aid and most states' college aid.

Look here (www.fafsa.gov) to find the FAFSA and information to help you complete the form.

Dispelling financial aid myths

If you are reading this and thinking, “I am not going to bother filling out the Free Application for Financial Aid because…,” take a moment to dispel these common myths about financial aid.

"My parents make too much money, so I won’t qualify for aid."

Reality: There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid. Many factors besides income—from the size of your family to the age of your older parent—are taken into account. Your eligibility is determined by a mathematical formula, not by your parents’ income alone.

And remember: when you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you’re also automatically applying for funds from your state, and possibly from your school as well. Don’t make assumptions about what you’ll get—fill out the application and find out.

"Only students with good grades get financial aid."

Reality: While a high grade point average will help a student get into a good school and may help with academic scholarships, most of the federal student aid programs do not take a student’s grades into consideration. Provided a student maintains satisfactory academic progress in his or her program of study, federal student aid will help a student with an average academic record complete his or her education.

"You have to be a minority to get financial aid."

Reality: Funds from federal student aid programs are awarded on the basis of financial need, not on the basis of race. The FAFSA doesn’t even collect this kind of information about an applicant.

"The form is too hard to fill out."

Reality: The FAFSA is easier than ever, especially if you fill it out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. There are detailed instructions for every question, and the form walks you through step by step, asking only the questions that apply to you. If you need help, you can access real-time, private online chat with a customer service representative.

If you’re filling out the paper FAFSA, you can get help from a high school counselor, from the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, or from our toll-free number: 1-800-4-FED-AID.

And remember, the FAFSA and all these sources of advice are FREE.

For more information about federal student aid, see www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov
or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at:
1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
TTY: 1-800-730-8913
Toll number for inquirers calling from foreign countries: +1-319-337-5665