Financial Aid News January 2007 Issue
A Publication of the Student Loan Network
Happy new year 2007! In this issue, we're tackling all things FAFSA related, as it's that time of year. We feature the Top 5 FAFSA filing tips you MUST know if you want to get the maximum amount of financial aid possible. If you haven't already done so, file your FAFSA online for free at:
http://www.FAFSAonline.com
Be sure to listen to our daily podcast as well (no iPod required) at http://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
Christopher Penn, Editor
http://www.FinancialAidNews.com
http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com
Featured Sponsor: Act Education Loans
Second semester is just getting started, and second semester financial aid is available with just a few clicks from Act Education Loans.
* Competitive interest rates for students & parents
* Defer payments until you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least half time (undergraduate and graduate students only)
* Funding in as few as 5 business days after receipt of completed application
* Loan proceeds sent to you, not your school
* No FAFSA or other government paperwork needed
* No application fees or other out-of-pocket expenses
* Preliminary approval usually in minutes
http://www.ActEducationLoans.com
Featured article: Top 5 FAFSA filing tips
The 2007 FAFSA became available on January 1, 2007. This is the single most important form for financial aid that you will fill out this year. Here are our top 5 tips to help you get the most financial aid possible. For more hints and tips, be sure to visit our free FAFSA resource center at:
#5: Do your IRS 1040 first.
Even if you don't plan on filing your IRS 1040 on paper, we strongly recommend you complete a 1040 BEFORE you start your FAFSA. Approximately 80% of the FAFSA is based on IRS tax data, and by completing the 1040 first, you'll save yourself a LOT of time. Even if you don't have your W-2 and 1099 forms from your employers, you can still estimate using your last pay stub(s) from 2006.
#4: Mind the clock.
There is a limited pool of financial aid in the form of grants that's made available each year. The sooner you file your FAFSA after January 1, 2007, the more likely you are to receive money from this pool (which includes the Pell Grant, AC Grant, SMART Grant, FSEO Grant, and Work Study) if you're eligible. The money in the pool is distributed on a first-come, first served basis, so if you wait too long to file your FAFSA, you may not receive anything from the pool even if you're eligible.
#3: It's better to be right than fast.
Even though speed counts with the FAFSA, correctness counts even more. Be sure you're doing the FAFSA correctly, paying careful attention to the instructions and the included worksheets. If you're really confused, you can get a free FAFSA consultation by attending College Goal Sunday, an event sponsored by many states in January. Find a College Goal Sunday seminar near you by visiting:
http://www.collegegoalsundayusa.org/
#2: Zero is the biggest thing.
In any field on the FAFSA that asks for a monetary amount, never, EVER leave it blank. If you're unsure if it applies to you, fill it in with a ZERO. Leaving a field blank does not automatically make it zero, which can affect how much aid you receive.
#1: File anyway.
The number one most important tip for the FAFSA is to file one regardless of whether you think you'll qualify for federal financial aid or not. Filing a FAFSA is completely free of charge, and if you file online, you won't even pay for postage. Many schools and states use the results from the FAFSA for institutional and state-based financial aid, as well as some private scholarships and grants, so always complete the FAFSA every year, no matter your financial situation.
For more hints and tips and to file your FAFSA online for free, be sure to visit our free FAFSA resource center at:
http://www.FAFSAonline.com
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 $4.078 BILLION in scholarships! Here's a selection of awards added in the last month.
- USC School of Cinematic Arts Scholarships
- Talbots Charitable Foundation Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund
- Women's and Non-traditional students scholarships meta-directory
- Nontraditional student scholarships directory
- New Mexico Universities Lottery Success Scholarship Program
- The Minnesota State Grant
- Elder and Leemaur Publishers University Writing Scholarship Contest
- Lydia's Professional Uniform/AACN Excellence in Academics Nursing Scholarship
- Blogging for Progress Scholarship
- State directory of scholarships for firefighters and families
- Podshow Earthlink Ad Challenge Contest
- Return to Learn Rebuild Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Program
- CarDonors.com Quarterly Scholarship
- First Generation Matching Grant Program
- THE-ICE Scholarships for Tourism and Hospitality Studies
- Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarships
- PricewaterhouseCoopers eXceed Minority Scholarships Program
- Warner Brothers We Are Marshall Movie Promotion Scholarship
- Zacharias National Scholarships
- Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship Program
- The Blogging Scholarship
- One Person Can Make a Difference Video Scholarship Contest
- New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) CFA Scholarship Program
- The Heart of America Foundation's Christopher Reeve Award
- Appalachian State University Academic Promise Scholarship
- 50% German Scholarship
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs)
- Oregon Student Assistance Commission Common Scholarship Application
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
And now a word from our sponsors...
Need lots of money for college fast? Try alternative student loans! With funding as fast as 5 business days, alternative student loans can help bridge any shortfall or unexpected expense you might have. Learn more and apply at:
http://www.AlternativeStudentLoan.com
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!
Looking for a career change in 2007? Visit our new jobs site at:
http://jobs.edvisors.com
Back Issues
Missed an issue? Did you remember a scholarship but can't find the back issue? Want to tell a friend about the newsletter? You can always find back issues of the Financial Aid Newsletter at:
http://www.FinancialAidNews.com
The Student Financial Aid News is a publication of the Student Loan
Network. Copyright (c) 1998 - 2008, the Student Loan Network. 15 Cottage
Avenue, Fifth Floor Quincy, MA 02169 and on the web at:
http://www.StudentLoanNetwork.com
iPod and iTunes are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
The End