Do you need to file the FAFSA this year? Do you know someone who does? Stop procrastinating and check out our 4 reasons to file the FAFSA ASAP!

1. Top 4 Reasons to
File the FAFSA Early

2. 1. Maximize State-Based Financial Aid
Funding
Find out if your state offers Need-based
grants to students
•
Eligibility requirements may include:
– Student maintained residence in that
state for a minimum amount of time
– Student’s parent(s) normally maintain
residence in that same state
– Student demonstrates financial need on
FAFSA
– Student is attending a qualified institution
usually within their home state
Each state operates differently, and follows a
different deadline for the FAFSA filing date.
Research your state’s department of higher
education to confirm grant program details.
Make sure that you hit the deadline to maximize
eligibility.

3. 2. Maximize School / Institutional Funding
Every school has 2 funding types:
Need-based & Merit-based
Schools award funding on a first-come
first-serve basis, and often wait until the
FAFSA information is available before they
award everything
The faster you
submit your
FAFSA, the better
chance you have
to maximize your
funding!

4. 3. Eliminate Non-Options
It’s only January
so there is still time to consider multiple admissions
offers
You may find great variety in offers, and can eliminate
options that don’t make sense financially
After you consider your financial aid options, prioritize
your list of schools considering value versus out of
pocket expenses

5. 4. Compare Offers and Appeal if Necessary
Let the schools compete for
you!
File the FAFSA early and schools will give it
their best shot to offer you the best package
If an appeal due to unemployment is
necessary, getting the FAFSA in early is the
first step
Appeals for financial aid due to
unemployment follow set procedure.
Expect a complete review of proper
documentation requiring timely delivery of
important documents