www.fafsa.ed.gov:  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) web site functions as an information-gathering site for the Department of Education. They gather financial information for as long as the student remains in the financial aid system.  This is done to ensure that no discrepancies exist between the reported income and tax-filing status. 

VERIFY THE SITE:   Be sure to validate that the address listed at the top of this page is the same as the one displayed in the address bar of your browser window. There are many sites out there which would be happy to charge you a fee in order to complete your FAFSA — whereas the official FAFSA site is FREE!  

 

BEFORE BEGINNING THE FAFSA APPLICATION:   Apply for a FAFSA PIN (personal identification number).  This 4-digit PIN will permit you to electronically sign the FAFSA once you have entered all the required information.  The confirmation email for your FAFSA PIN usually arrives within 48 hours after applying for it. Once it arrives, follow the accompanying instructions. 

 

FILL OUT THE FAFSA:  Carefully enter all pertinent data such as your name, address, and Social Security Number where indicated. Then enter figures from your most recent tax return into the financial section.  For the 2006-2007 Academic Year, your 2005 tax returns will be used.  If you are not planning to attend college until the Fall of 2007, it would be wise to file your 2006 taxes as early in 2007 as you can — almost as soon as you receive your W-2 statement. That way, your FAFSA can be processed early, while funds are still available!

 

SIGN THE FAFSA: Use your PIN to sign the FAFSA.  Within 72 hours, you will be able to view your Student Aid Report (SAR).  The SAR is relevant for scholarships that require proof-of-income such as need-based scholarships.  Two-parent households with incomes under $50,000 per year fall into this category as do single-income households with incomes under $30,000 per year.

 

MANY OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE: Remember that only about 40% of all scholarships are need-based.  So, be encouraged. W.D.S. can find hard-to-locate dollars for you. Or perhaps you will be one of the lucky individuals who win merit-based scholarships, which comprise the majority of scholarships offered to students (60%).  

 

Warp Drive Scholarships specializes in tailoring an individualized plan to meet your needs as a student.