The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms have arrived. Seniors were given the forms to take home before Christmas vacation. Parents are urged to help students get these forms filled out as soon as possible. The earliest date to submit the FAFSA is January 1, 2007. When this form is submitted, the student has applied to check eligibility for three types of student aid-federal aid (Pell grants, loans, etc.), state grants, and the lottery scholarships. Each area has its own deadlines, but because only one form is submitted, students should strive for the earliest deadline. For example, in Tennessee for state grants the deadline is March 1, 2007. For the state lottery scholarships the deadline is September 1, 2007. Because the state deadline is March 1 Tennessee students are strongly encouraged to try to meet that March 1 deadline.

The FAFSA may be submitted online or through regular mail with a paper copy. The paper copies are available in guidance, as well as the worksheet and instructions for filing online. Applying online with FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov is faster and easier than using a paper FAFSA. Plus, step-by-step instructions are given to complete the form. The applicant can even “chat” live online with the customer service representative to get answers to questions. These services are free. Never pay for help to complete the FAFSA form. Some web sites do exist that will help fill out the FAFSA for a fee. Always use www.fafsa.ed.gov for free.

To apply online the student and parent must get a PIN (a personal identification number) that is used to “sign” the electronic FAFSA. The PIN also is used to correct any information after results are sent, to sign a promissory note electronically to receive a federal student loan, and to access the history of the federal student aid received. Students and parents should apply for the PIN now if they have not already. To apply go to www.pin.ed.gov.

In addition to getting the PIN, parents and students can begin gathering the information that will be needed to complete the application such as the following:

1. Social Security Number for student and parents;

2. Student’s driver’s license number;

3. Alien Registration Number if not a U. S. citizen;

4. 2006 federal tax information or tax returns (including IRS W-2 information) for students and parents; The FAFSA can be submitted before the 2006 income tax return is filed, but income and tax information must be provided on the FAFSA. Once the tax return is filed, income or tax information that is different from what was initially submitted on the FAFSA must be corrected.

5. Records of untaxed income, such as Social Security benefits, welfare benefits, and veterans benefits for the student and parents;

6. Information on savings, investments, and business and farm assets for students and parents.

Completing the FAFSA takes time and can be overwhelming. To help parents two local resources are available. On January 18, 2007, from 6:00-7:00 p.m., Lincoln County High and Motlow Fayetteville Center will sponsor a Financial Aid Seminar in the school library. The purpose of the seminar will be to give general information about the FAFSA and lottery scholarships. Jason Seay, a representative from the Tennessee Lottery Association, will answer questions about the lottery scholarships. If parents want additional help, they may call Motlow Fayetteville Center to get an appointment for individual aid in filling out the FAFSA.