The US Department of
Education officially has launched its FAFSA mobile app to help students to
complete and send the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form by way of
their cellphones. Federal officials believe the app, named myStudentAid, will help
to increase the number of families who apply for student financial aid. The
FAFSA App is significant since there are
still many students who do not have access to a computer in their home. The FAFSA
form can be complex for scores of parents, who must answer more than 75
questions to complete the form. One key to success and obtaining financial aid
is completing the FAFSA form early. The hope is that the App will decrease the
parent’s apprehension about completing the form.
Why should the parent
complete the FAFSA form on the App as soon possible? There are times when a
parent will need to make corrections to the FAFSA application. Completing the
FAFSA application early will provide more time for corrections. If you are a
parent don’t give up seeking help from your school counselor. They may have
knowledge of a FAFSA representative in your region who can help you. Most
colleges rely on the FAFSA information as a resource that helps them to
determine a student’s overall financial aid package.
The new FAFSA App gives
parents the ability to enter their income information for one or more children.
The students have their own section in the FAFSA application. Each student will
have a unique way to enter their own information too. This is important since a
family with two children may enroll in two different colleges. A family could
actually sit down and work on their own information at the same as their
student. The goal of the app is to make it easier to apply and to get increased
participation. Some additional benefits include:
1. A much easier application to complete
2. The ability to register on cell phone that
you carry in your pocket every day
2. The federal tax documentation is already
completed when the new FAFSA app is available
3. The ability to get immediate help from a
counselor
4. An earlier notification of college financial
aid packages
FAFSA wants greater
participation of all students regardless of their income. Students who are first generation or low
income seem to have the most difficult challenges completing three FAFSA form.
If you fall into one of the two categories that I mentioned don’t be afraid to
ask for help. There are school counselors who are focused on getting students
prepared to apply for colleges using the common application. Finishing your
FAFSA form early is one way to send a message to colleges that you are serious
about getting enrolled.
The
FAFSA office has come up with an App that will benefit everyone. If you area college bound student, know is
the time to complete all of the requirements of the FAFSA form. Don’t be the
last to get the financial aid package from colleges that you’ve selected. Dr. Stephen
Jones is the author of the Ultimate Scholarship Guide and the Seven Secrets of
How to study at
http://www.DrStephenJones.net/books.
