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FAFSA Guide

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, is your key to unlocking hundreds or thousands of dollars in aid to pay for college. If you’re a college-bound senior or a current college student, this guide is your one-stop-shop for all things FAFSA, including what to know, how to fill it out and how to troubleshoot common errors.

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Grants

Grants are a type of free money based on financial need. Federal and state grants are available through the FAFSA.


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    Most common federal grant is the Pell Grant

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    Grants are usually awarded based on financial need

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    State grants may have early or different deadlines

Work-study

Work-study is need-based federal financial aid that lets students work a part-time job while still enrolled in school.


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    Work-study is awarded based on financial need

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    Work is usually related to the student's major

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    Jobs pay at least the federal minimum wage

Student loans

Federal student loans can cover thousands of dollars in academic costs, but they must be repaid with interest.


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    Federal student loans have no credit score requirements

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    Some loans subsidize interest while student is enrolled

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    Amounts depend on loan type and grade level

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What to know before filling out the FAFSA

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What to know while filling out the FAFSA

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What to expect after submitting the FAFSA

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Filters
Fixed APR from

3.39- 15.19%

Loan amount

$2k- No Max

Abe℠

Fixed APR from

3.45- 15.00%

Loan amount

$1k- $100K

Fixed APR from

3.47- 17.99%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

3.49- 15.49%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

3.54- 15.99%

Loan amount

$1k- $100K

Fixed APR from

3.69- 14.22%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

3.69- 10.41%

Loan amount

$1k- $500K

Fixed APR from

3.99- 15.60%

Loan amount

$1k- $350K

Fixed APR from

4.24- 14.02%

Loan amount

$1k- $100K

Fixed APR from

4.95- 8.82%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

5.75- 8.95%

Loan amount

$2k- No Max

Lender conversion and compensation impacts how, where and in what order products appear in the above table