Mammoth AwardsIf the former describes you, here are some questions you may have regarding financial aid.
You finally decided to go back to school. Whether this is your first time taking college classes or you’re returning to finish up your degree, federal student aid could help cut some of the high costs of getting an education. You may not know how student aid from the government works, though, and as an adult student, you may feel as if you could get left out in the cold.
Let’s clear up some questions many in your situation tend to have right now:
1. How can you get federal student aid?
Getting student aid from the government is pretty straightforward. It all begins with completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is what many simply call the “FAFSA.”
What’s so special about the FAFSA? The fact that it determines whether or not you have the financial need required to get student aid. If you do, it opens up opportunities from colleges that can send you letters with offers for free money for school.
2. What’s the age limit for federal student aid?
The great news is that there is no limit to get federal student aid. In other words, as you fill out your FAFSA, it’s as if you’re a high school student going off to college for the very first time.
Speaking of time, it’s of the essence when it comes to FAFSA submission. In other words, pay attention to those deadlines so you don’t miss them, as tardiness, not age, will keep you from getting federal financial help.
3. Will a bad credit score keep you from getting federal student aid?
One thing many adult students have that younger ones don’t is credit history. For some, they’d rather keep that history private if it’s filled with late payments and other damaging marks.
Luckily, most federal student aid programs do not consider credit history. So, complete that FAFSA form, and forget about any bad credit standing in your way.
4. Can you get federal student aid if you have loans in default?
They may not care about your credit history too much, but the federal government will see that any student loans you have with them are in order. Since getting out of default can take up to nine months unless you pay off the outstanding amount, you’ll want to fix any federal student loan issues before sending off your FAFSA.
5. Is there special student aid for single parents?
As far as the federal government is concerned, no. You could find grants or scholarships for single parents from organizations, however.
If you qualify for federal student aid, you may be able to use some of those funds to help pay for child care. To know for sure, contact your school’s financial aid office. In doing so, they may be able to tell you of other child care opportunities to help you cut costs. For instance, some institutions have on-campus daycare.
