Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) Online Deadlines:
Submit 2009-2010 Corrections on the Web forms: Midnight CST Sept 21, 2010
Submit 2010-2011 FAFSA on the Web Applications: Midnight CST June 30, 2011

If you're exploring options for paying for college, you've come to the right place. At OnlineFinancialAid.Org you'll learn about the various kinds of financial aid (loans, grants, and work-study) and how to apply for each type of financial aid.

Financial Aid is federal, state, institutional, and private funds used to assist eligible students in funding their education. Financial aid can be a combination of scholarships, grants, loans, waivers, and student employment. Scholarships and grants are considered “free money” and the student is not required to repay; however, loans and student employment are considered self-help aid and most loans require repayment when a student becomes enrolled less than half time or graduates.

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Grants - Federal Pell Grant

Grants are financial aid that is awarded based on demonstrated financial need. Grants do not have to be repaid. The Federal Pell Grant is a federally-funded grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. Pell Grants are the foundation of federal student aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added. Pell Grants are generally awarded only to undergraduate students, both full- and part-time, and students pursing a post-baccalaureate teacher certificate program qualify also. The Pell Grant is need based (you must qualify) and grants for 2010-2011 vary from $1,176 to $5,550.

Where To Apply:
Federal Aid - Click Here
Online Colleges - Click Here
Stafford Loans - Click Here
Perkins Loans - Click Here

Student Loans - Federal and Private

Student loans, unlike grants and work-study, are borrowed money that must be repaid, with interest, just like car loans and home mortgages. You cannot have these loans canceled because you didn't like the education you received, didn't get a job in your field of study or because you're having financial difficulty. Loans are legal obligations, so before you take out a student loan, think about the amount you'll have to repay over the years. Federal loans usually offer borrowers lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment options than loans from banks or other private sources.

To get a federal student loan, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The easiest way to complete the FAFSA is online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Here, you identify schools that you are interested in attending. When your FAFSA is processed, the schools you have identified will receive your information. The school will then tell you how much financial aid is available, including grants, scholarships, work opportunities and federal student loans. Should you choose a federal student loan, your school will provide you with instructions on next steps, including how to select a lender.

Learn what Financial Aid and Scholarships Colleges and Universities can offer you - get free info.

Applying for a Perkins or Stafford Loan:
As with all federal student aid, you apply for a Perkins or Stafford Loan by completing the FAFSA. A separate loan application is not required. However, you’ll need to sign a promissory note, which is a binding legal contract that says you agree to repay your loan according to the terms of the promissory note. Read this note carefully before signing it and save a copy for your records.