What is a FAFSA? A FAFSA is the Free Application for Student Aid: Federal student aid. Everyone who attends higher education should fill out a FAFSA, even if you need a student loan for bad credit and no cosigner. FAFSAs are due in before you begin school. Even if you believe you are ineligible, fill out a FAFSA because you never know. Never assume, you know what they say! The Government determines through the FAFSA how much money you will need to go to school, how much you should pay (everyone is different), and how much they will contribute to help you pay. Even if you think you don't qualify you should apply because the FAFSA is used as the determining information not only for Federal funds, but also state and the college or university's financial aid programs. The FAFSA not only determines: education grants, monies that do not need to be paid back; student loans, monies that need to be repaid after graduation; but also any work-study program eligibility. The work-study programs are great because it helps students find a job that pays a wage on the campus, so it doesn't interfere with classes or study time and allows students a little bit of money. Student loan for bad credit and no cosigner applicants should be eligible for work-study programs if their income does not exceed the limits. It is nice to have a little spending money that you worked for.

People always seem to panic when they know they have to fill out their Federal Application. There is no need to panic! It is not hard to do even for those who require a student loan for bad credit and no cosigner. This Government form is where you must begin. It is step one for all financial aid avenues for a higher education. It will consume some of your time an hour or so, if you are organized before you start. If you begin and then have to run around the house collecting information every time you advance a question on the application, then it may be a cause for panic. Gather together any information you may need. If you are a younger student, gather you parents' information as well.

You need social security numbers, three references with addresses and phone numbers, tax and wage information from the previous year (you know that file you haven't looked at since you tucked it way in April), you parents' tax and wage information for the previous year if you are a dependent student. The Government's Federal website does provide someone to help you file your FAFSA on-line for a fee, but I don't think that is necessary in most situations that are not too complicated. People should be able to file their own FAFSA on-line. Make sure you use our government's website the .edu site where filing is free. Do not use any other website to file your FAFSA where they make you pay a fee. You can also print out the application, fill it in, and mail it in. If you have to stop your on-line application due to time constraints, it will allow you to save and pick up where you left off then next time you sign in. You will need to create a PIN number as soon as you start. This PIN number allows you to go back into you application once you have begun. Keep this PIN number a secret as it is also your electronic signature when you have completed the application. Also keep all of your student loan information in one place, that way it will be easy to refer to later.

Each university or college may have different deadlines. If you are starting in the summer FAFSAs are due by May 1st. Renewal applications are always due in January, sometimes the 2nd week. I always completed mine on New Year's Day. Why not? This way you are sure not to forget. The application must be renewed once per year for every year you are in school. Don't let filling out your FAFSA application be a scary process for you, even if you need a student loan for bad credit and no cosigner.