Financial Aid News December 2006 Issue
A Publication of the Student Loan Network
Welcome to the December 2006 issue of the Financial Aid News. In this issue, we'll look at ways to earn additional spending money while in school, which I loosely term "beer money". Be sure to listen to our daily podcast as well (no iPod required) at www.FinancialAidPodcast.com so you never miss a scholarship opportunity or money-saving tip!
Also, we've just released the third edition of our free scholarship search eBook, Scholarship Search Secrets. It's 19 pages of power tools that you can use online to find scholarships. Get it here:
http://www.StudentScholarshipSearch.com
Happy holidays from the Student Loan Network!
Christopher Penn, Editor
http://www.FinancialAidNews.com
http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com
Featured Sponsor: Student Loan Consolidation
If you're making payments on your federal student loans, now's a great time to consolidate them and cut your payments up to 60%. For more information, visit:
http://www.StudentLoanConsolidator.com
or call us toll-free at (877) 328-1565.
Scholarship Updates
Three big things. First, our new scholarships web site is now open, Scholarship Points! Just by registering, you'll be entered for a $1,000, $500, or $250 scholarship. Participate in activities and earn even more points!
Visit: http://www.ScholarshipPoints.com
Be sure to grab your copy of our new eBook, Scholarship Search Secrets Third Edition! Visit:
http://www.StudentScholarshipSearch.com
Another great month for our scholarships web site, http://www.StudentScholarshipSearch.com - now with over $3.98 BILLION in scholarships! Here's a selection of awards added in the last month.
- Appalachian State University Academic Promise Scholarship
- 50% German Scholarship
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs)
- Oregon Student Assistance Commission Common Scholarship Application
- Public Relations Student Society of America Scholarships and Awards
- Arizona State University Sun Devil Promise - ASU Advantage
- National Security Agency (NSA) Analysis Training Program
- Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship – Given by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
- Michigan Competitive Scholarship
- University of Californa, Los Angeles (UCLA) Regents Scholarship Program
- The New Jersey Society of CPAs College Scholarship Program
- AT&T Labs Fellowship
- International Student International Education Week Video Scholarship Contest
- IREX Short-Term Travel Grants Program
- Bockholdt ISNM Baltic and Eastern Europe Scholarship
- Lisa Dräger ISNM Scholarship
- 50% North American scholarship
- ISNM tuition scholarship
- 2007 Scholarship Competition
- “Crazy for Brickfish†Video Scholarship Contest
- Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women, Inc. Scholarships
- MG James Ursano Scholarship Program
- Cumberland Farms Believe and Achieve Scholarship Program
- Academic Competitiveness Grants
- National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants
- The Blogging Scholarship
- William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship for Minority Students
- Bat Conservation International Student Research Scholarships
- Eastern Michigan University College of Business Marketing Scholarships
- The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
- Vice Adm. Jerry O. Tuttle, USN (Ret.) and Mrs. Barbara A. Tuttle Science & Technology Scholarship
Remember, you can get daily scholarship updates by listening to the Financial Aid Podcast and visiting the Student Scholarship Search web site!
http://www.StudentScholarshipSearch.com
http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com
Featured article: Getting Ready for the FAFSA
The 2007 FAFSA is just around the corner, and in preparation for it, we've assembled a list of tips, tricks, and hints you'll need in order to make the most of the 2007 FAFSA and get the most financial aid you qualify for.
First, let's look at the timetable. The 2007-2008 FAFSA is the FAFSA form for the academic year beginning on July 1, 2007. The FAFSA is an 8 page form which controls how much financial aid you'll receive.
The Department of Education opens its doors to people interested in filing their 2007 FAFSA on January 1, 2007. Here's an insider tip - the closer you can file your FAFSA to that date, the better. The longer you wait, the worse your chances are of obtaining grants and subsidized financial aid like the Subsidized Stafford Loan. The reason is very straightforward - there's a limited amount of grant aid available each year, and it's allocated on a first come, first served basis. The Department of Education doesn't permit you to file your FAFSA for the 2007-2008 year before January 1, so be sure you apply as close to that day as possible.
Before we get started, it'll be easiest if you download the PDF copies of both the 2007-2008 FAFSA and the 2007 IRS 1040 (for tax year 2006). We've provided links to these documents here:
What do you need in order to file your FAFSA? Here's a checklist of the documents you'll need.
* Your Social Security Number (can be found on Social Security card)
* Your driver's license or state ID (if any)
* Your W-2 Forms and other records of money earned
* Your (and your spouse's, if you are married) 2006 Federal Income Tax Return - IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040TeleFile, foreign tax return, or tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia
* Your parents' Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
* Your untaxed income records - Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veterans benefits records
* Your current bank statements
* Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records
* Your alien registration or permanent residence card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Make sure you gather up all this stuff well beforehand.
The next step you'll need to do to ensure that you get the most amount of aid is to complete an IRS 1040. The reason for this is that about 80% of the data on the FAFSA comes from the IRS 1040, and having it already filled out and optimized will make the FAFSA so much easier. Because we'll be estimating your 2006 tax year income, make sure you have your latest pay stubs and work documents handy.
Are you ready to get started? Then let's head to the Web and our step-by-step FAFSA tutorial!
http://www.fafsaonline.com/fafsa-tutorial/
And now a word from our sponsors...
It's never too late to file your FAFSA and possibly gain additional federal financial aid. Get inside tips on completing the FAFSA and file your FAFSA line for free at
http://www.FAFSAonline.com today!
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The Financial Aid Podcast is financial aid radio whenever you want it - for free! On your PC, on a CD, on your iPod, at school, home, or work. Learn about student loans, scholarships, how to get a job, and more. Make sure you have the latest copy of iTunes from www.Apple.com and then visit:
http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes/
Got financial aid questions you want to have answered on the air? Call our comment line and leave a voicemail question!
Toll-free: 877-328-1565 extension 529!
Back Issues
Missed an issue? Did you remember a scholarship but can't find the
back issue? You can always find back issues of the Financial Aid
Newsletter at:
http://www.FinancialAidNews.com
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