Time to Finish the FAFSA
Last August, Carolyn’s “Financial Aid To Do List” laid out the roadmap to researching and applying for financial aid. You’ve been diligently following the plan, right? If so, you know that an important step in the process is submitting your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA as it is affectionately known. For Early Decision II and Regular Decision (as well as admitted EDI) applicants, the deadline to file your completed FAFSA is February 3, 2014.
Still need to take care of this piece of business? Don’t worry; there are resources out there to help you. You might want to start with this quick video from the US Department of Education on how to fill out the FAFSA:
A few important points:
- Vanderbilt’s Federal School Code for the FAFSA is 003535.
- When you start your application, make sure you have the supporting information ready:
- Social Security number
- Permanent resident card (if applicable)
- W-2 forms or other records of earnings for the previous year
- Tax records
- You don’t have to wait until this year’s taxes are completed. You can complete the FAFSA using estimated tax information and update the information when it is finalized.
- Tennessee residents should aim to file the FAFSA by February 1 in order to be considered for State of Tennessee grant and scholarship assistance.
- The FAFSA can be completed on paper and mailed to the processor or completed and submitted electronically.
- To apply for need-based assistance at Vanderbilt, you also need to complete the College Board Financial Aid PROFILE. The priority filing dates are identical to the FAFSA.
Already filed your FAFSA? The US Department of Education also features a video on what happens next.
To learn more about applying for Financial Aid at Vanderbilt, visit the website of The Office of Student Financial Aid and Undergraduate Scholarships. If you have specific questions about financial aid, please email finaid@vanderbilt.edu.