It is almost the end of January. That means that homeschool seniors need to be on the ball with their college applications and the search for scholarships. Many schools and corporations have deadlines in the early months of the year, and if the deadline is missed, there is no grace period. Arizona schools typically start making financial aid decisions in March. The homeschool specific scholarship from Arizona Families for Home Education deadline is Janaury 31, 2012.
One crucial tool needed to even be eligible for a large number of college funding opportunities is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This is a single form that is filled out with the student and parent (when applicable) financial information. The expected family contribution is determined, and the data is made available to all the colleges of your choosing. The schools then determine the economic need remaining for a year of schooling once the family kicks in their portion. Students may be awarded grants, loans, work study or scholarships to make up the difference.
The form is not difficult, although there are some questions for which the answers are not overtly intuitive. Details are asked about the student's and the parents' assets and several bits are needed from the current tax returns. It it crucial that the returns be completed at least enough for an estimate in January or early February (they can be amended or completed later), so that reasonably accurate data can be added to the FAFSA. Recommendations are that the FAFSA be completed and filed online by February 15 for best access to student grants and work study.
Help completing the document is available at the FAFSA site and at the annual College Goal Sunday & Saturday, too! events in every major city. In the Phoenix area, there are numerous FAFSA sites that will have trained personnel available for giving direction and answering questions.
Remember, the FAFSA is the key to multiple financial aid opportunities. Some colleges will base even their in-house need or merit scholarships on the this form. For many homeschoolers, early completion may mean the difference for getting the appropriate college funding that will make tuition affordable.
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