Additional Resources
College Nights - Financial Aid Basics and Helpful Material
Basic Information
Keep the following things in mind when applying for financial aid:
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Federal Student Aid is for U.S. citizens and permanent residents only
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Apply for Federal Student Aid using the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
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Be sure you understand how your financial situation is viewed by colleges
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Understand the financial aid policies
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Apply for financial aid each year
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Apply early – know the deadlines
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Know what you need to submit and when
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Keep a copy of all materials that you submit
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Record date, time, name of person spoken with for all telephone calls
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If you use estimated tax data to apply for aid initially, be prepared to provide actual
numbers after your taxes are complete
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Understand the real cost
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Payment Plan options
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Practical Financing – Payment Plan and Loan combination
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Ask questions of the Financial Aid Office staff
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Understand your responsibility
Brochures
Note: PDFs require Adobe Acrobat Reader
Direct Loan Basics for Students
Direct Loan PLUS Basics for Parents
Direct Loan Entrance Counseling Guide
Direct Loan Exit Counseling Guide
Do You Need Money For College?
Federal Student Aid Ombudsman Brochure
Funding Education Beyond High School
Student Aid Quick Reference Sheet
Higher Education Tax Benefits Guide
Additional Resources
Hamilton College's list of Helpful Links
Institute of Education Sciences & National Center for Education Statistics's College Navigator
U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid
Federal Student Aid's Glossary
CollegeBoard's 10 Things You Must Know About Financial Aid
American Council on Education & Lumina Foundation for Education's KnowHow2GO