By definition, grants do not have to be repaid. Taken from the overall cost of a college education, grants lessen the amount of student loans and savings needed for a traditional college or an online university. Knowing the steps to apply for college grants can help students pursue a degree without encumbering them with weighty debt.
Locating the paperwork you’ll need
While there are a good number of sources from which to search for means of obtaining grants, there are a few basics you should have before you begin looking. The following is a list documents you should locate:
• Your Social Security Card
• Your W-2 form(s) from the previous year’s work
• Your completed 1040 tax form
• If a dependent child, your parent’s most recent 1040 return.
• Bank statements and other statements of income and investments.
• Driver’s license
It is recommended that you keep these documents in a secure, but easy to access location while you search for and apply for your grants.
Timing
Your search for student grants should begin, if possible, in October of the year prior to when you anticipate entering or returning to classes. While you’ll be busy in January of that year, as you’ll see shortly, October is the month in which you’ll want to complete an often overlooked form, one that can help you receive access to grants.
PROFILE®
You’ve probably taken either the ACT, SAT or possibly both. These assessments are administered by the College Board. This organization also has a division called the College Scholarship Service (CSS) that offers the Financial Aid PROFILE® form, required for certain types of student aid, including grants. This form is available at the beginning of October and requires most, if not all of the documents you’ve collected to complete.
The Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA)
While you may not need the Student Aid Report (SAR) that results from filling out your FAFSA for all grants, you will for some. There are deadlines set by each state for completing the FAFSA, so set aside an hour to complete this online form using the documents you collected earlier. If at all possible, complete the FAFSA in January. Even if you discover that you’ve missed a state deadline, immediately complete the FAFSA. Other sources may not be affected by the deadlines, so don’t just assume you can’t apply. Once submitted, you’ll receive your SAR within about four weeks.
Follow through
Based upon eligibility, you’ll be notified about many grants, such as Pell Grants based upon scores and grades you’ve already earned. While you may not receive every grant for which you apply, don’t let that notion prevent you from applying for all applicable grants.
Have another set of eyes go over every grant application you complete. This person or persons should be well qualified in dealing with the detailed requirements of each particular grant. Remember, many of these granting institutions will receive thousands of applications. The quickest way to reduce the workload for these organizations is by finding and rejecting incomplete or incorrectly completed applications.
Once you’ve had your application double checked, follow the instructions for returning your packet of materials to the exact address specified. Take note of expected processing times and keep your fingers crossed for that notification that you’ve received, hopefully, help in obtaining your education and lowering the liabilities you’ll have when you graduate!
About the author: Mark Thomas is professional writer and a former public school teacher. He lives in the Midwest and enjoys old movies, cooking and travel. He is a regular volunteer at an Underground Railroad historic site.
I love music, art, blogging, traveling and people! There is nothing better than immersing yourself into a new culture and getting to know new people.
