Although graduation may still be a few months away, the Knox County Public Schools are reminding high school seniors that it’s time to apply for federal student aid.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a part of the U.S. Department of Education, the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. High school students who are planning on attending a post-secondary institution after graduating high school, and those who are still uncertain about their plans, are encouraged to apply early as funding is limited and there are application deadlines.
The FAFSA website, at https://fafsa.ed.gov/, provides step-by-step directions and information for seniors who are logging into the website for the first time. To make the process easier, it is recommended that students and parents have the following information before beginning the application process:
- Social Security number
- Federal tax returns, W-2s, and any other form of earned income. It is possible to use last year’s information if you have not filed for the current year. Updates may be made to this section.
- Current bank statements and investment record.
- Any records of untaxed income if applicable
- A federal student PIN
Although the federal deadline for applying is June 30, students in Kentucky are encouraged to apply in early January as awards are made until funds are depleted. Students who have narrowed down, or selected, which college they plan on enrolling in may want to check with the admissions office to see if the institution has any deadlines for financial aid.