Checklist for Grants & Scholarships:

 

1.     Check out scholarships and grants on the Web.

2.     Talk to your high school counselor or college financial aid administrator about college plans and financial needs.

3.     Explore the AmeriCorps program, military and veterans benefits,   

fee waivers, tax credits and deductions, tuition payment plans and part-time work.

4.     Ask about grants, scholarships and loans offered by each college,

including deadlines, when applying for admission.  Some deadlines may be earlier than March 2 Cal Grant deadline.

5.     Keep track of all the financial aid requirements, applications and

Deadlines.

     6.  Apply for a Social Security number, if you don’t already have one,

          by going to http://www.ssa.gov or calling 800.772.1213.

7.     Apply for a personal identification number at                

     http://www.pin.ed.gov  so you can e-sign the online FAFSA.

8.     Complete the current year FAFSA to apply for financial aid.         

The easiest and fastest way is on the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov starting January 1st.

9.     Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible starting January 1st and 

Before your earliest financial aid deadline.  Use estimates if you or your parents haven’t completed your federal tax returns.

    10. File your FAFSA by March 2nd to meet the Cal Grant A, B and C

Postmark deadline.  Also, be sure you or your school submits your verified GPA to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2nd.

    11. If mailing the FAFSA or the GPA Verification Form, get a  

Certificate of Mailing from the post office as evidence it was sent on time.

    12. Keep a copy or printout of your FAFSA, all worksheets and

          financial records.  Your college may ask to see them.

    13. Review your Student Aid Report carefully.  It will include your

          expected family contribution.

    14. You can look into federal loan programs, but you will need to pay

          back any loans unlike a grant or scholarship.