March is month to apply for federal student aid

SOUTH SALT LAKE — The College and Career Readiness department at Granite School District is reminding all high school seniors that March is Free Application for Federal Student Aid completion month.

Completing the FAFSA is the most important step to receiving financial aid for college, according to the district. The office of Federal Student Aid provides more than $150 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to more than 15 million students nationwide.

Completing the FAFSA is also necessary for many scholarships and student loans, and there is no need for students to wait until they’ve been accepted for admission to college before applying.

Students should not assume that they are not eligible for financial aid. Most families can qualify for federal financial aid regardless of income or assets, according to the district.

To apply, visit the FAFSA website, www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students can complete the application on their own, or they can enlist the help of school counselors.

Tax information from 2012 is required to complete the form, but it is not necessary to wait until tax returns are filed. FAFSA allows applicants to estimate the information and correct it once taxes are completed.