Applying for Student Grants:
FAFSA Tips
The first step in getting financial aid is the FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You can find their website at FAFSA.ed.gov, containing the application form which you must fill up. After completing the form, you will then be automatically matched with aid programs that you qualify for.
For each school year, there are overall federal deadlines for FAFSA application. But in addition to that, each school may also have a priority deadline for financial aid. So as far as dates are concerned, the one you should pay more attention to is the priority deadline set by the schools.
Here's a TIP: If you can complete the FAFSA for the following school year as soon as your (and your parents if you are a dependent) federal income tax is done for the previous year, your application will be in early.
Tip! Don’t provide your financial account numbers, Social Security Numbers, or other personal information in response to free grant offers. Crooks “phish” for that information to steal your money and impersonate them for other illegal purposes.
Before beginning to apply for an FAFSA, follow the following overview tips:
-Gather the documents you need.
-Start with your Social Security Number. Then, get copies of your driver's license, income tax return, bank statements, and investment records. If you are a dependent student, get a copy of your parents' Federal Income Tax Return.
-Print a FAFSA on the Web Worksheet
-Write in your answers and gather your parents' information then transfer the data to FAFSA on the Web Worksheet.
-Plan how to sign your FAFSA.
-You have two options available. You can either sign your FAFSA application with a U.S. Department of Education Personal Identification Number (PIN), or by mailing in a signature page.
-Check your eligibility for federal student aid.
To be eligible for federal student aid, you must meet the following requirements:
-Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
-Have a valid Social Security Number (unless you're from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
-Comply with Selective Service registration, if required (see SSS.gov for more information)
Tip! A federal grant is onerous, which means that there are conditions and obligations that require compliance. And often, these obligations and conditions are major, the amount of money you receive from the grant dependent on how large-scale or important the project is.
-Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate or pass an approved ability-to-benefit (ATB) test
-Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program at a school that participates in the federal student aid programs
Also:
-You must not owe refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal student loan
-You must have financial need (except for unsubsidized Stafford Loans)
-You must not have certain drug convictions
-The last requirement is in compliance with the federal law which stipulates that persons convicted for the sale or possessions of drugs are not eligible for federal free student grants. But this does not disqualify you for other free student grants from non-federal sources such as state or private individuals and/or organizations so completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is strongly encouraged.
Tip! If you are put on a waiting list or denied outright, don’t wait. Revamp and polish your proposal and hand it in somewhere else. Each time your work gets better.
So You Got the Money…So What Now? So now that you have the money received by way of a student grant, the next step you're going to have to tackle is how to keep head above water. Because the truth is that no matter how much money you get from students grants, student loans, and summer jobs that stole your social life, money will be pouring through your fingers like sand as you study. That's just how the cookie crumbles here. In fact, it is likely to be the case that the moment you think you're doing alright is also the very day you receive a letter from the bank telling you that you're not alright.
To avoid serious financial hardship, just pay close attention to balancing your outgoings and spending with the funds you receive. It may sound boring. It may sound like a far cry from the crazy student lifestyle you hear about, but it does keep you away from pennilessness.
Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your grant money:
-Work out your income for the year, including loans, jobs, parents, grants,and so on.
-Divide the figure over the number of weeks you will be at the university. Most universities teach for 30 weeks a year, but in practice you will probably arrive a week early and/or leave a week late, so include that in your computation.
Tip! Student grants are a type of student aid that is awarded to deserving individuals by the government. Contrary to what some people think, a student grant is actually different from a student loan. One difference is that when you have qualified for a grant, it means you no longer have to pay back the money you receive.
-Then list the costs you can't avoid, such as cost of fees, bills, rent, food, and transport. It pays to calculate in worst case scenario terms.
-Make a weekly budget. Believe me, it pays, allowing you to cut back on unnecessary purchases.
-Contact your university for a basic idea on your accommodation.
-The cost of course materials will vary massively depending on what course you are studying. Science, medical and law degrees usually require expensive textbook. Art and design students need specialist equipment.
If you just follow all these tips and keep all your expenses at a minimum, then there is every reason you will be able to make the most out of your student grant. | 
