Make sure you have your Department of Education PIN.

Fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st.

Check with your school of choice to see if they want you to fill out a CSS Profile.

3 weeks after filling out the FAFSA, if you have not received your SAR by email or postal mail, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243

Start looking for scholarships and state aid.

If you do not think your taxes currently reflect your situation see our Special Circumstances page.

Call your school and make sure it has received your SAR.

Once you get your award letter, go over it and make sure you are offered enough aid to cover all of your education costs.

If you have completed your taxes and estimated them on your FAFSA, make the correction so the school gets your updated financial information.

Contact school to make sure all loan paperwork is filled out prior to the beginning of classes.