Graduate students can minimize their student loans by seeking badcreditloanshelp.net/payday-loans-ky/ out scholarships, research grants, or part-time work related to their degree through their university. Some graduate students choose to earn their master’s or doctorate online through part-time or accelerated programs that allow them to continue to work while earning their degrees. To help students decide whether a graduate degree will be financially worth it, we’ve ranked online master’s programs by earning potential.
The federal government does not take GPA into account when awarding most types of federal funding. However, students must meet their school’s requirements for maintaining “satisfactory academic progress” to be eligible for aid and continue receiving it. Typically this includes taking a minimum number of courses and maintaining a 2.0 GPA once enrolled. If your grades begin to fall or you are considering dropping credits or taking a quarter off, check with the financial aid office or academic advisor at your school to determine how this could affect your financial aid.
Most of the time, international students do not qualify for federal financial aid. Non-U.S. citizens who do qualify for federal financial aid include U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, refugees, those who hold T-visas or have parents who have T-1 nonimmigrant status, and citizens of the Federal States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau. There are a few other exceptions to this for non-citizens listed on the Federal Student Aid website. International students should check with the financial aid office at their school to find out if institutional aid is available to them.
Filling out the FAFSA form is the first and most important step in mapping out how you will pay for college. It can get complicated, but this step-by-step guide will help you navigate the process.
Go to the FAFSA portal: Go to to access the FAFSA form. You can start your application, save it, and finish it later if you need to. You can also print the form and submit it by mail or complete it through the myStudentAid mobile app.
Create an FSA ID username and password: Create these using your Social Security number (SSN) and name as it appears on your Social Security card. Dependent students and a parent each need to have an FSA ID to submit the application online and use the myStudentAid app. It’s best to do this early on in case your information needs to be verified, which can take up to three days.
You may also have the option to have your tax information automatically entered through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. You can request a digital or physical copy of your tax return through the IRS website.
Log in and start your application: Once you have an FSA ID, you can use it to log in and start filling out your FAFSA. If you’re a dependent student, make sure to use your FSA ID on the application rather than your parent’s.
Gather materials needed to apply: You’ll need your Social Security number, permanent resident card (if you have one), driver’s license (if you have one), W-2 forms, federal tax records, and information on your investments, cash, savings, and checking account balances
Check and submit your application: Ensure all of the information you entered is correct before submitting. Once your application is processed, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report from the U.S. Department of Education which will include a copy of the information you provided and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Important Dates and Deadlines for Submitting the FAFSA
Whether you’re planning on enrolling on-campus or applying to an online degree program, it’s critical for students to know when the FAFSA opens and the deadline to submit it. You’ll also want to note the deadline for submitting corrections in case there is an error on your application.
