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2011-2012 FAFSA Now Available

When preparing to go to college, one thing can help you more than anything else – get started early. If you think you might want to go to college or are sure of it, you should get the process started as soon as you can. One thing that many students will fill out in preparation for college is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the FAFSA.
Filling out the FAFSA will help give you access to government funds to pay for your education. The information you provide will determine what type of funds you are eligible for and whether you qualify for grants, which do not have to be paid back. Students seeking access to these government funds must fill out a FAFSA for each school year.
Now the FAFSA for the 2011-2012 school year is available for students to complete online. The sooner you fill out your online FAFSA and get it filed, the sooner you will know what funds you can receive to help fund your education.
The new FAFSA has had a few changes made to it. For those indicating they have graduated from high school, there is an added section where you must indicate the name, as well as the city and state, where you earned your high school degree. There are also elements that have been eliminated from the form, including questions about teaching grants and enrollment status.
There are things you will need to fill out your FAFSA, and you might want to gather these items prior to beginning. Contrary to what many people might think, you don’t have to wait until you file your taxes for 2010 to fill out the FAFSA for 2011-2012. You can use your 2009 tax return and other records of your income.
Some of the things you need to complete your 2011-2012 FAFSA are listed below:

  • Your social security number
  • Your driver’s license
  • Your alien registration or permanent resident card (for non-US citizens)
  • 2010 W-2 or 2009 tax return or your 2010 income tax return
  • 2010 untaxed income records including veterans benefits, child support and workers compensation
  • Current bank balance
  • Current business and investment mortgage info including stocks, bonds and other investment records

Here are some other tips for EDUinReview to make the FAFSA process a little easier:

Avoid FAFSA Scams
FAFSA Form to Receive a Much Needed Makeover
Do You Qualify for Independent Status on Your FAFSA?