Dear Financial Aid King,
I’m in my senior year of high school, and instead of talking about the latest episode of Euphoria, everyone I know is talking about the FAFSA.
I understand financial aid is an important part of the college experience, but what do I qualify for?
I just want to know if filing the FAFSA is worth my time or if I should keep binge-watching series on HBO Max instead (I’m still not caught up!)
Sincerely,
Priorities
Dear Priorities,
That’s a great question that is often asked by students and their family members.
What you qualify for is extremely personal and based on individual circumstances.
The only way to get an accurate answer is to one, apply to the college or university you’re interested in and two, file the FAFSA and any other financial aid forms that are appropriate.
Once you get accepted into college, you will receive an official financial aid decision. That decision could include scholarships, grants, and loans, but you won’t find out for sure until you apply, file the FAFSA, get accepted, and receive a decision.
So, in short, stop binge-watching TV and start working on your college application and FAFSA form! Zendaya will still be there when you’re done.
Also, if you want an early read on your financial aid award, you can use the Net Price Calculator —like the one for The College of Saint Rose.
Any higher education institution that delivers federal financial aid will have a Net Price Calculator. That does not mean it’s 100% accurate, though. It’s only as good as the information you provide, but it will give you an idea of what you might qualify for.
It is usually located on the financial aid or admissions webpages of a college or university.
Once you know what financial aid you will receive, we have tips for choosing the best student loans to help finance your education.
I hope this was helpful,
Financial Aid King
