College application deadlines are fast approaching and you may be wondering if you can even afford to go to college. What you might not know is that the federal government provides almost $150 billion a year to help students just like you pay for college. Right now, you're probably thinking of all of the reasons why you won't qualify for financial aid. Please don't waste your time worrying- you could be using this time to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Here are some common myths about financial aid that you shouldn't believe.
Myth #1: My family makes too much money for me to qualify for aid.
There is no income cut-off for federal student aid. Your eligibility for financial aid is based on a number of factors and not just your income. Plus, many states and schools use your FAFSA data to determine your eligibility for their aid. If you're not sure what you will get, the best way to know for sure is to complete the application!
Myth #2: I need to file taxes before completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or (FAFSA).
You can use estimated information on your FAFSA so you'll be able to submit it before you file taxes. In fact, many states and schools have financial aid deadlines well before the tax deadline. So completing your FAFSA earlier is a good idea. You might want to base your estimates on last year's tax return, and once you file your taxes, you can log back in and update the information. You may even be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to automatically import your tax information into your FAFSA.
Myth #3: The FAFSA is too hard to fill out.
This is a very common misconception, but the FAFSA has come a long way! It's easier than ever to complete online. The form uses "skip logic," so you are only asked the questions that are relevant to you. And if you've filed your taxes, you can transfer your tax return data into your FAFSA automatically. As a result of improvements like these, the average time to complete the FAFSA is now less than 21 minutes. If you do get stuck, help is available by Web chat, e-mail and phone.
Myth #4: My grades aren't good enough for me to get aid.
Eligibility for most federal student aid programs is not linked to your academic performance. However, you will need to maintain grades that your school considers satisfactory in order to continue receiving financial aid.
Myth #5: My ethnicity or age makes me ineligible for aid.
There are basic eligibility requirements, but ethnicity and age are not considered.
Myth #6: I support myself, so I don't have to include parent info on the FAFSA.
This is not necessarily true. Even if you support yourself and file taxes on your own, you may still be considered a dependent student for federal student aid purposes. You can determine your dependency status by answering these questions. If you are independent, you won't need to include your parents' information on your FAFSA. But if you are dependent, you must provide your parents' information.
Myth #7: I already completed the FAFSA so I don't need to complete it again.
You need to complete the FAFSA every year you plan to attend college or career school. Don't worry; it will be even easier the second or third time around since a lot of your information will be pre-populated on the application.
Millions of students complete the FAFSA each year and receive financial aid to help pay for college. Don't let these myths stop you from achieving your goals. Take the first step by completing the FAFSA at fafsa.gov.
Tara Marini is a communication analyst at the Department of Education's office of Federal Student Aid.
