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**Free Money for School — NextStudent Makes it Simple**

There are many sources of free money for school. Most students (and parents) fail to exhaust all the options available to them. NextStudent can quickly guide you to the best sources of free free money for school and low cost loans.

Just review our NextStudent Financial Aid Advisor, and you’ll have the information you need to get the most free money for school and low-cost aid possible to pay for college. Or, check out NextStudent Financial Aid Advisor: The Guided Tour for a step-by-step look at the financial aid process.

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If you have questions about college funding—from scholarships to student loan interest rates— you can call toll free to talk to a NextStudent Education Finance Advisor. They’ll guide you through the available options and help you select the right mix of funding—all at no cost to you. They’ll even help you with the loan paperwork.

Free financial aid counseling: (800) 299-4639

For More Details on Finding Free Money for School, Start With the Financial Aid Advisor


	The Inside Scoop for High School Students Types of Federal Student Aid: Know Your Options The Federal Student Aid Process Your First Step: Completing the FAFSA What you Really Need to Know about Federal Student Aid Important Dates: Your Federal Student Aid Calendar Student Loans Student Loan Repayment

Don’t Overlook the Free Money for School!

*If you don’t qualify for any of the above, or if you aren’t awarded enough to cover your college expenses, student loans are the most common way to make up the difference. Learn more about a variety of student loans from NextStudent.

Educational grants are free money for school awards based on financial need, and are available from the federal government, state governments, schools and private organizations. To apply for educational grants, you will first need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Educational Grants: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

With the search for free money for school underway, it's time to get down to brass tacks. That is, complete the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is the form used to determine eligibility for all financial aid. In other words, you must submit a FAFSA to be considered for educational grants, work-study, and federal student loans, including Federal Stafford Loan and Federal Parent PLUS Loans.

The FAFSA examines your family’s financial situation and evaluates your eligibility for educational grants and other student financial aid based on U.S. Department of Education guidelines. The official deadline for submitting a FAFSA varies from state to state. To be safe though, and to increase your chances of receiving educational grants and financial aid, submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible. You can submit the FAFSA via regular mail, or you can complete the FAFSA online.

Keep in mind—funds are limited for need-based financial aid, so you’ll want to apply as soon after January 1 as possible to increase your chances of getting financial aid.

To apply for educational grants, complete a FAFSA, use FAFSA on the Web at www.FAFSA.ed.gov or call (800) 801-0576 to order FAFSA Express software. Or, you can submit a FAFSA through your high school or college financial aid office. The application process takes about four to six weeks. Use this time to start investigating scholarships using the award-winning NextStudent Scholarship Search Engine.

Although you can submit a paper application, there are advantages to submitting your application online via FAFSA on the Web:

You'll get your Student Aid Report (SAR) quicker
FAFSA on the Web automatically checks applications for incomplete or conflicting information
You can save the application for transmission at a later time
Your FAFSA filing date determines your place in line

How Much Free Money for School (Educational Grants) Can You Get?

Two to four weeks after the FAFSA is submitted online (four to six weeks for mail-in applications), The Department of Education mails the Student Aid Report (SAR). This form shows your financial aid and eligibility for educational grants and the amount your family must pay towards your education (the Expected Family Contribution, or EFC).

If you aren’t awarded enough to cover your college expenses, student loans and parent loans (PLUS loans) are the most common way to make up the difference. Learn more about a variety of student loans and Parent PLUS Loans from NextStudent.

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