The Free Application for Federal Student Aid and USF St. Petersburg’s scholarship applications opened Oct. 1. The priority deadline for FAFSA is Jan. 1. Courtesy of USF St. Petersburg
By Whitney Elfstrom
Hop on your computer and head to studentaid.gov to fill out your 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The application, which opened Oct. 1, presents the opportunity for students to receive federal aid in the form of grants, work-study and loans. If your FAFSA is processed by Jan. 1, the priority deadline, you can also be considered for additional work study, state, federal and institutional grants.
“Everything is based on an an expected family contribution,” said Lynsee Crichton, financial aid adviser for loans and student outreach.
An EFC is the measure of a family’s financial strength that is calculated into a formula made of taxed and untaxed income, assets and benefits such as unemployment or Social Security, according to Federal Student Aid.
Crichton said that filling out a FAFSA each year helps students receive tuition deferments.
“That’s a huge thing because we get a lot of people getting dropped for nonpayment, especially in the fall,” she said. “So even if you’re not utilizing FAFSA for loans and you’re paying for college yourself, it extends your due date.”
The university’s privately funded scholarship applications also opened Oct. 1 and have an April 15 deadline.
USF St. Petersburg’s financial aid website lists the different qualifications for each grant, including GPA or a certain EFC. The website also has scholarship information and important deadlines.
Crichton also said that students should take advantage of FAFSA Fridays, which is an event held by the USF St. Petersburg Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships where financial aid advisers help students fill out their applications.
“I can complete a FAFSA in about 10-15 minutes,” Crichton said. “We can make sure it’s correct that way.”
FAFSA Fridays is held on the first floor of Nelson Poynter Memorial Library from noon to 4 p.m. every Friday through Dec. 14th, with the exception of Nov. 23. Students need to bring their student I.D., a filed 2017 tax return for their parents and selves and their Federal Student Aid I.D.
Four Tips for Filling out FAFSA from the adviser:
- Utilize FAFSA Friday for hands-on help from a financial aid adviser.
- Use studentaid.gov to answer general FAFSA questions.
- Go to usfsp.edu/financial-aid/ for information about scholarships and deadlines.
- Stop by the Financial Aid office in Bayboro Hall Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and talk to Crichton or any other financial aid adviser.
