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or company, might be just the support you need to take the next step.
Lastly, your young adult may choose another path or not need to pursue a four-year degree to begin their new career path. Our local community college has amazing degree programs and certifi- cation programs that will help students prepare for the job of their dreams or even to move on to complete their four- year degree elsewhere. Some certification programs are available tuition free.
It could be that a trade school is their choice, or even a venture into the working world first before making any final deci- sions. In fact, it may be the transition into a trade first that leads to a scholarship for more formal education later.
Deadlines for applications have already begun. Ask at the school your student currently attends if they offer any workshops, such as for FAFSA. Check into all your options; review applications that your student qualifies for, but most important, don’t wait any longer.
Outside of applying to the colleges or universities of choice, one of the most im- portant tasks families should do, and as soon as possible, is to apply for FAFSA.
It doesn’t matter if your student hasn’t decided what schools they’re applying to, as you can list up to 10 schools on the FAFSA form, and even add more later.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as the
FAFSA, is a financial aid application form used to apply for financial aid from the federal government, state governments, and most colleges and universities. A variety of grants may also be offered along with programs such as work study. The FAFSA application season typically starts on October 1, and the FAFSA deadline is typically June 30, or the end of the academic year, whichever comes first. According to the official site to apply, the state of Michigan has a deadline
of May 1. The FAFSA deadline is the same whether you are an undergraduate student or a graduate student. You must complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal financial aid. Visit studentaid.gov to begin.
Students and their families should file the FAFSA form as soon as the applica- tion is available during the fall of their se- nior year. This is not a deadline, so much as a start date, but students who file the FAFSA later may miss out on some forms of financial aid. This is important whether you know where you’re going to school or not. Students who file the FAFSA during the first three months tend to get twice as many grants, on average, as compared with students who file the FAF- SA later. The application process opened later than usual this year due to significant changes, which means timing is still good to submit early for the July 2024-June 2025 year.
While federal student loans and the Federal Pell Grant function like an entitle- ment, federal campus-based aid is more limited. Each college gets a fixed alloca- tion of Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and Federal Work-Study (FWS) funding, so the money can run out. This is one of the reasons it’s vitally important to apply for the aid you need as soon as possible.
After submitting the FAFSA form, you’ll receive your financial award letter. This will outline how much free aid and federal loans you’re eligible for. If you notice any mistakes on your form or need to make an update because your family’s financial situation has changed, you can make corrections via the My FAFSA portal, gen- erally not later than September. If you feel the assessment is unfair, you can appeal.
Having documents on hand will make the completing process much faster. You will need your completed tax returns to get started. Also, keep in mind that you will need to create passwords, for both you and your student, so be prepared before you sit down. You will also need to obtain your FSA ID, your electronic signature. Even if you’re not ready to submit your application get your FSA ID set up. And then apply as soon as possi- ble. The first year can be a bit daunting, but the good news is that it gets a bit easier each year.
Here’s to dreams coming true!
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