Category Archives: Deadlines

Apply Online, Deadlines, Students and Parents, Types of Financial Aid

The 2017-18 FAFSA is Available!

FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student AidThe 2017-18 Free Application for Federal Student Aid is now ready for you! Remember, the first word in FAFSA stands for FREE. Never pay someone to complete the FAFSA.

If this is not your first rodeo with the FAFSA, then you may be wondering why it’s available so early. Well, we have good news for you. The FAFSA will become available Oct. 1 of each year to help you make the most of financial aid programs. Furthermore, you will now use tax information you’ve already submitted and will no longer have to update your FAFSA when your latest tax information is ready. See our chart to determine which tax forms to use with your current FAFSA.

Whether this is your first or 10th time completing the FAFSA, we offer a wide variety of information to help families along the way. Check out our resources section for more tools, publications and helpful external websites.

Apply Online, Deadlines, Financial need, Students and Parents, Tax Information

What’s Changing with the FAFSA?

The FAFSA is new and improved and will be ready for you faster than ever! Students and parents now have the opportunity to complete the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, as soon as Oct. 1—three months earlier than before! The earlier you apply, the better, as some financial aid options may be exhausted later in the year.

Another update to the FAFSA makes the process even more convenient. Families will now use tax information that they should have already filed. This means families won’t have to update the FAFSA after they file taxes next year. Use the chart below to find out which forms are right for you.

FAFSA Completion Chart

To complete and submit the FAFSA online, students and parents will both need to create an FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID) at FSAID.ed.gov. This username/password serves as your signature on the FAFSA and student loan applications and allows you to access other federal aid websites. It can be beneficial for families to create their FSA IDs now in order to speed up the FAFSA application process in October. Once the FAFSA is available, it can be completed online at fafsa.ed.gov.

Apply Online, Deadlines, Students and Parents

What if I’m still not sure which college I want to attend next year? Can I still submit my FAFSA?

That’s a great question! With all the different types of schools to choose from, it’s not always easy to decide where to begin your higher education.

One of the best ways to narrow down your college choices is to visit different campuses. Summer is the perfect time to check out the schools that interest you. Still can’t decide? It’s OK to put more than one school choice on your FAFSA; in fact, that’s a great idea, because if you’re shopping for the best fit, you can use the FAFSA to compare the colleges that you’d like to know more about.

Once you have some colleges in mind, use the ‘School Code Search’ option at FAFSA.gov to find the 6-digit school code for each college that interests you. Enter the codes one by one, clicking ‘Add’ after each code that you choose. Once you’ve added all of your codes, click ‘View Selected School Information,’ and you’ll see a customized table that displays information about all of your selected schools side-by-side. This tool is another great way to compare colleges.

Deadlines, FSA ID, Students and Parents, UCanGo2 Resources

New Release Date for FAFSA

The new FAFSA filing date is October 1. Learn more at Start With FAFSA dot org.
The new FAFSA will become available Oct. 1 this year.

Question: What’s new and improved about the FAFSA for the 2016-17 school year?

Answer: College students and high school seniors will be able to submit the FAFSA beginning October 1, 2016, instead of waiting until Jan. 1, 2017. Learn more about these changes at StudentAid.gov.

Stay in touch and we’ll keep you informed!

  • The upcoming changes to the FAFSA offer numerous benefits for students and parents. As more information becomes available, we’ll share it with you here at StartWithFAFA.org.
  • Like us on Facebook for information about a wide variety of scholarships and college planning tips for students.
  • Visit us at UCanGo2.org for an abundance of information about planning, preparing and paying for college.
Apply Online, Deadlines, FSA ID, Types of Financial Aid

How to Get a Head Start This Summer

If you’ll be a senior in high school this fall you may already be showing early signs of senioritis*. You’re probably busy wondering where you’ll go to college, what classes you’ll take, and whether or not you’ll live on campus. While going to college or a career technology center is a great new chapter in your life, don’t forget about one of the most important things… paying for it!

The one form you’ll need to apply for federal financial aid and some state aid is called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application will be available Oct. 1 this year. Submit the FAFSA as soon as possible for priority consideration for some types of financial aid.

To electronically sign and complete the FAFSA online, you and your parent will each need an FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID). The FSA ID is a username and password that you’ll use to access your FAFSA, make corrections, access income tax documents and sign the form. Creating your FSA ID takes about 7-10 minutes, so why not do it this summer? Here’s what you do:

    1. From a secure computer go to the Federal Student Aid website.
    2. Create a username and password, and enter your email address.
    3. Enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, contact information and challenge questions and answers.
    4. Review your information, and read and accept the terms and conditions.
    5. Confirm your email address using the secure code, which will be sent to the email address you entered when you created your FSA ID. Once you verify your email address, you can use it instead of your username to log in.

You can use your FSA ID to sign a FAFSA right away. Only the owner of the FSA ID should create and use the account and you should never share your FSA ID.

Now you’ve completed one important step in the FAFSA process. Hang on to the FSA ID information to use in early October when you complete your FAFSA. You’ll also use the FSA ID in future years, so be sure to save it somewhere safe and somewhere you’ll remember it.

*Senioritis: Noun
A supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance.
“I try not to let my grades suffer from my senioritis”

Deadlines, Financial need, Students and Parents

There’s Still Time

With finals just around the corner, and graduation coming up in a week or two, have you put college on the back burner? Maybe you aren’t even sure you want to go to college or a career tech. Whatever you’re thinking, just know that it’s not too late! While it’s best to apply to college and complete financial aid applications early, you can still accomplish these tasks.

Talk with your school counselor about your best options and check out some classes offered at a nearby community college or career tech. These types of schools are typically less expensive and could open your eyes to some great career opportunities you may not have considered.

Some colleges and technology centers also offer discounted or free tuition to students who have attended a particular high school or live in a certain area. Your counselor can share information about these options. If you have the chance to attend college for free … take it!

You’ll also want to apply for financial aid to help with some of your educational expenses. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to apply for federal and state aid for college. Go to www.FAFSA.gov to complete this form and submit it online.

Deadlines, Grants and scholarships, Students and Parents

Oklahoma’s Financial Aid Programs

The state of Oklahoma offers several financial aid programs. Start applying for these programs by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program (OTAG)
OTAG is a need-based program for Oklahoma residents who are enrolled full-time or part-time in undergraduate courses at eligible colleges, universities and career technology centers in Oklahoma. The OTAG application is available within the FAFSA. OTAG funds are limited, so it’s important to submit the FAFSA as early as possible each year you need financial aid for college.

Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant Program (OTEG)
OTEG awards grants to Oklahoma students attending eligible not-for-profit, private or independent institutions. Funds are limited for this program, so be sure to submit your FAFSA early.

Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship Program
Oklahoma’s Promise allows eighth-, ninth- or 10th-grade students from families with an income of $50,000 or less to earn a college tuition scholarship. Students must also meet academic and conduct requirements in high school and submit the FAFSA during their senior year of high school. Upon completion of the program’s requirements, students earn:

  • Tuition at an Oklahoma public two-year college or four-year university.
  • OR a portion of tuition at an accredited Oklahoma private college or university.
  • OR a portion of tuition for courses at public technology centers that are approved for credit toward an Associate of Applied Science degree at a public college.

Academic Scholars Program
The Academic Scholars Program awards scholarships to Oklahoma residents who score in the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT exam. It’s also available to students who are named National Merit Scholars or finalists, Presidential Scholars or Institutional Nominees.

Other scholarship opportunities unique to the state of Oklahoma include:

Be sure and check these out to see if you’re eligible!

 

Apply Online, Deadlines, Financial need, Students and Parents, UCanGo2 Resources

The 2016-17 FAFSA is Available

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid
FAFSA

Are you planning to take college classes this fall? Are you wondering how to pay for college? If so, you can begin the financial aid process now by submitting the 2016-17 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available as of Jan. 1. The FAFSA is the application used to obtain all types of federal financial aid, some types of state financial aid and many scholarships, too. Everyone planning to enroll at a college or university should complete the FAFSA. Even if you think you, or your family, make too much money to qualify, apply anyway! Most people qualify for something, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the results.

It’s important to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible each year. Why? Because some financial aid programs that require FAFSA information, including some grants and scholarships, have deadlines early in the year. You don’t want to miss out on any financial aid opportunities.

Not sure where to start? Check out our video to learn how to complete the FAFSA in Five Steps or download our FAFSA Five Steps brochure.

And, remember to visit at UCanGo2.org  and facebook.com/UCanGo2 for the latest college planning information, scholarship updates and more!

Please note, the 2017-18 FAFSA will be available Oct. 1, 2016. 

Apply Online, Deadlines, Financial need, Students and Parents, Types of Financial Aid

Four Reasons to Finish the FAFSA

If you’re going to college next year, it’s time to start thinking about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)! Here are four reasons why:

  1. The FAFSA is used to apply for all types of federal financial aid and some types of state aid. It is also required for many scholarship programs, including Oklahoma’s Promise.
  1. Applying has never been easier. Complete the FAFSA online.
    Screen shot of FAFSA online with the help and hints box highlighted on the right
    Help and Hints Box

    Doing so is fast and efficient for you and the school(s) receiving your results.

  1. Help is always available. Use the Help and Hints boxes online or contact the Federal Student Aid Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243), or any nearby college or university financial aid office.
  1. You don’t have to wait long to get the ball rolling. The 2016-17 FAFSA became available Jan. 1, 2016 and the 2017-18 FAFSA will be available Oct. 1, 2016. Submit the FAFSA as soon as possible for priority consideration for some types of financial aid.
Apply Online, Deadlines, Financial need, Grants and scholarships, Money Management, Student loans, Students and Parents, Tax Information, Types of Financial Aid

Don’t Make this FAFSA Mistake!

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has never been easier. However, there’s one mistake students and their parents continue to make.

Each year, many families don’t complete the FAFSA because they think they make too much money to qualify for aid. Counting yourself out before even starting is a huge mistake! Even if you think you won’t qualify for aid, you should still submit the FAFSA.

Here’s why:

    • You could be missing out. Billions of financial aid dollars are offered every year. Those funds will be awarded to someone… and that “someone” could be you. But you’ll never know if you don’t apply!
    • There’s no obligation. You’re not required to accept the aid offered to you. You’ll have the option to decline any aid offered, or you may choose to limit how much you borrow.
    • Your school might use the data. Some schools use the data on your FAFSA to award school-specific grants and scholarships. So, beyond federal funding, you could take yourself out of the running for school aid by choosing not to submit the FAFSA.
    • Federal student loans offer options. Even if you know you’ll only qualify for student loans and you’re unsure about borrowing money for school, federal loans could be your best option. Federal student loans often have lower interest rates than private or alternative loans, and they offer flexible repayment plans. They’re also a better option than high interest credit cards.