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Guidance - Financial Aid Information
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As you begin to investigate your financial aid options, we would like to highlight a few ideas for you.

The free application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA should not be submitted before January 1st. Financial information from your family's year end tax return will be required in completing this application.
 
Students applying for federal and state student aid must complete the FAFSA.
 
Many colleges, universities, and private scholarship programs also require that you complete the CSS/Financial Aid Profile form. We recommend that you check the CSS code list to see if the college or institution that you are applying for requires the Profile form. You should also check with the college or university directly since we have found that some colleges that are not listed, do require the profile.
 
The most accurate financial aid information can be found at the financial aid office of the school you are applying to.
 
When completing your financial aid forms, we recommend that you first fill out your responses on scratch paper or a photocopy of the form.  They recommend that you submit the form online for fastest results and less errors.
 
Don't forget to check the scholarship bulletin that the Guidance Office uses to list many scholarships for which you may apply. These are posted in your homeroom/study hall and on the bulletin board outside the Guidance Office.

Financial Aid Resources...

FAFSA Customer Resourses:

  • For technical questions about submitting an electronic FAFSA- 1-800-801-0576.
     
  • For general questions about information requested on the FAFSA and to correct up to six processing errors-1-800-4FEDAID (1-800-433-3243).
     
  • For questions about the status of your application-1-319-337-5665.

MSN-College Financing You don't have to spend full price to get your child a top-notch college degree. Use these strategies on this site to get a great education at a cost that makes sense.

Sallie Mae Customer Service:

  • Sallie Mae (the government- authorized lender) has a calculator on its internet site for estimating the Expected Family Contribution.
     
  • Sallie Mae's "free" booklet "Paying for College"-1-800-891-4599.
     
  • Sallie Mae's Hot Line with aid experts, 9AM-9PM (M-F) - 1-800-806- 3681

Department of Education offers two free booklets "Student Guide" and "Funding Your Education." These can be ordered through their website or can be reached at-1-800-433-3243.

Financial Aid Tips For Parents...

Experts Suggest the Following:

  • Be prepared. Go to seminars. Ask questions.
     
  • Don't be late. Mail the applications early.
     
  • Don't make any errors when filling out financial aid forms.
     
  • Make sure your high school senior does not have any savings in his or her name.
     
  • Apply for financial aid no matter what your income is.
     
  • Don't be afraid of applying to an expensive school; not many students pay full price.
     
  • Home equity is not a factor when state and federal aid are considered; it may be an issue when private institutional aid is sought .
     
  • Colleges expect you to spend 5 percent of your savings on tuition, but the percentage is larger for salaries. It's a complicated calculation with variables galore, so generalizations are difficult.
     
  • Decisions of financial-aid officers can be appealed. They do change their minds, especially if your financial situation has changed.
     
  • The federal financial aid form should be sent in as soon as possible after January 1st of the year the student is entering college.
     
  • Filling out the FAFSA will automatically put you in the running for state grants.
     
  • Some private institutions have a new form- the CSS/Finanacial Aid Profile. Read the college's literature to see if it is required.
     
  • Apply to six to ten colleges-enabling you to select from a wider range of financial-paid packages.
     
  • Do not neglect other financial goals-retirement among them.

State Websites

Commercial Sites

  • FastWeb is a  free comprehensive financial aid site with a large database of potential scholarship opportunities.
  • The SmartStudentTM Guide to Financial Aid is a site that has information on loans, scholarships, savings plans and financial calculators to help you determine your needs