Don't wait until FAFSA opens in December!

Start the FAFSA process now! The FAFSA is a form that you fill out to help you get financial aid for college. Financial aid can include grants, scholarships, and loans to help you pay for your education. Here are the basic steps to fill out the FAFSA:

1. Gather Your Documents: Before you start, you'll need some important documents. Ask your parents for their tax returns and W-2 forms. These show how much money your family makes.

2. Create an FSA ID: You and one of your parents will need to create a special username and password called an FSA ID. You can do this on the FSA website.

3. Go to the FAFSA Website: Visit the official FAFSA website, which is fafsa.gov. Make sure you're on the real FAFSA website, and not a fake one.

4. Start a New FAFSA: Click on the "Start Here" button to begin a new FAFSA form.

5. Fill in Your Personal Information: You'll be asked for your name, date of birth, and other details. Make sure to double-check everything is correct.

6. School Selection: You'll need to list the colleges you're interested in attending. Don't worry; you can add or change this list later if needed.

7. Parent Information: If you're a dependent student (most likely as a high school student), you'll need your parents' financial information. This is where their tax returns and W-2 forms come in handy.

8. Financial Information: Answer questions about your family's income and assets. You can use the tax information from the documents you gathered earlier.

9. Sign and Submit: After filling out everything, review the information, and sign the FAFSA with your FSA ID. Your parents will also need to sign it with their FSA ID.

10. Confirmation: You'll get a confirmation that your FAFSA has been submitted. Keep this for your records.

That's the basic process! Just remember to be honest and double-check all the information. And don't worry, you have a few more weeks, so you have plenty of time to start gathering information.

Need more information? Make an appointment with me to discuss.