Grants and Scholarships

doing FAFSA late, how does this affect grants/scholarships?

About how much can one expect to get through FAFSA if they turn it in a few days late? I heard that you do not qualify for all the grants and scholarships if it was not turned in by April 1, but I didn't know this until after the date. My college is having a FAFSA workshop I was planning on going to, so that I could complete it then, but it is not until April 13... How much will this hurt my chances of getting grants/scholarships?

Public Comments

1. While you may miss out on some really good scholarships and grants if you don't apply quickly, it is never to late to apply for grants and aid to help pay your way through school. Your first step is to complete your FAFSA, if you have not already. There are some state grants that have cut-off dates, and some grants are first come, first serve, but there are still tons of opportunities for you to pounce on! Remember, loans like the Stafford loans and Perkins loans are great, but a last resort. Be careful as you look for scholarships online, and be sure they are legitimate scholarships. Scholarships.com is a good one, so if fastweb.com and the FederalStudentAid.ed.gov site will have TONS of guidelines and additional information. Check with your school councilor and area businesses. Sometimes they offer scholarships to local students who stand out in the crowed. This is important: if you have schools that you are interested in attending, contact their financial aid office and ask to speak to the financial aid secretary. Their job is to help you pay for your higher educational goals and they will know about all kinds of programs and grants and scholarships that no one else will know about. I would totally go to the FAFSA workshop! They may know something additional that you don't. Good luck!
2. It does, but it won't mess you up completely. I turned in my fafsa nearly a year late and was still awarded 2000 in grants (like in previous years). Turn it in as soon as you can, and don't sweat it.
3. Get your FAFSA in on time or as early as possible. Missing a college deadline can mean you miss out on the federal institutional aid they administer like a Perkins Loan or SEOG Grant.