Are you or your children concerned about how you’re going to pay for college this coming fall? Are you confused by the financial aid process, or don’t know where to begin? Each year, the state of Minnesota helps students gain access to post-secondary education by providing more than $200 million in grants, loans and work study opportunities in addition to assistance from federal, institutional and private sources. Prospective and continuing students can now complete the 2004-05 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Applications can also be obtained at high schools, colleges and vocational schools, libraries, community and state gancies, or by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 433-3243. Be sure to pay attention to deadlines. Students applying for Minnesota State Grants must submit the FAFSA within 14 days of the start of the term at their school. College deadlines typically are set by the school’s financial aid and usually are as early as late winter or spring. Contact the financial aid administrator at the school you or your child attend or plan to attend. To help explain financial aid options, the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office publishes Focus on Financial Aid. Updated annually, the publication describes state and federal financial aid programs and how to apply for aid. This information can be accessed through the “Paying for College” section of the services office Web site, www.mheso.state.mn.us. The Web site also offers a variety of publications to help students and parents prepare for higher education.
