Minnesota State University Reporter

Media Credit: Reporter file photo AFFORDING COLLEGE: The FAFSA can be submitted through paperwork or online. [Click to enlarge]

Wondering how to get money for college? Timeliness when filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is key, according to Minnesota State University's financial office. This spring, Student Financial Services is holding sessions to assist students in completing their financial aid application for the upcoming school year.

The next session is Thursday, and the last one is April 7. Both sessions start at 5 p.m. in Academic Computer Center 125. The informal sessions are an easy way for students to have all their financial aid questions answered.

Pat McAuley, assistant director for financial aid programs, said, "It's best to apply as soon as possible." That is one of the reasons her department decided to offer help sessions this year, she said. "We're trying to get people to apply early."

"We're trying to figure out what we can do to emphasize applying as early as you can," McAuley said. "Last year a lot of people applied late.

"Certain types of financial programs are campus-based aid. If people waited until June, all that money would be gone," McAuley said. "That's why we have a priority date."

Although the priority date of March 15 is passed, McAuley encourages students to still apply.

"Even if you don't think you'll get a grant, it's still beneficial to fill it out," McAuley said. "Everyone is eligible for loans."

She said the amount of money received varies from student to student and from school to school.

"The process can take awhile," McAuley said. "It's good to make sure the aid is ready for fall when school starts."

McAuley recommends applying online.

"The application process is really quite simple," McAuley said. Last year, about 70 percent of applicants filled out the FAFSA electronically. McAuley said fewer mistakes are made when the application is done online.

Julie Mortensen, a single mother of five, is thankful for FAFSA. She is a full-time student at MSU, majoring in sociology. "The application is definitely worth filling out," Mortensen said. "It's a very easy form."

The first time Mortensen applied for aid, she didn't fill it out until after the deadline. "I didn't get enough to pay for tuition," Mortensen said. "The next time it came, I filled it out right away."

Before attending one of the financial aid sessions, students are advised to bring their Federal Pin Number and completed 2004 federal income tax returns. To reserve a seat, students can go to http://web.filemaker.mnsu.edu/SFSeminar/.

For additional help, students can also check out www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Starrla Matthews is a Reporter staff writer

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