College Goal South Carolina = Free Help in Completing the FAFSA

On Saturday, February 21^st at 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Health Education Complex, USC Upstate will be a host site for College Goal South Carolina. College Goal South Carolina is an annual event held at different locations around the state dedicated to assisting students and their families with successfully completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These events are free of charge and is open to all students (Graduating Seniors and Returning College Students) and their families who will be completing the 2015-16 FAFSA.

Financial Aid and FAFSA

In order for a student to be eligible for financial aid, they must complete the FAFSA form. The FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) is a free form available online that students and parents must complete for eligibility for financial aid. Students and parents should first apply for a pin # at www.pin.ed.gov  Once they receive their pin # they can begin the process. In addition, 2014 federal tax returns, a Social Security number, and an Alien Registration card (only if not a US citizen) will be needed to complete the form. Most colleges have early deadlines, so completing this form in timely manner is recommended.

FAFSA - Money for school

FAFSA (the free application for federal student aid) is a required form in order for you to receive financial aid (loans, grants, some scholarships). This form must be completed by a certain deadline. Check with the college/university you are planning to attend on the deadline date. Don't delay!

If you need assistance with the FAFSA, please see your school counselor.

How much should you borrow?

College acceptance letters are being mailed, and many seniors are receiving letters from the office of financial aid from these institutions. These letters are telling parents how much tuition and other fees are going to cost per year, and what type of financial aid their child may be eligible for. Often, loans are an integral part of the financial aid package. Most people borrow money to attend college, but with changes in the economy, borrowing too much can be a costly decision.

In Jeff Smith's website, yourpathahead.com, you can estimate how much money you should borrow based on your major. This information is based on starting salary and average median salary. For example, for students majoring in education, no more than $23,500 should be borrowed. "Exceeding these guidelines will result in lower standards of living," Smith states in his book, Your Path Ahead. This is not engraved in stone, however, Smith takes a look at cost of living vs. salary, showing what is a realistic amount of money to borrow without going into too much debt.

It's a good idea to compare financial aid packages from each institution. Make sure to complete the FAFSA as early as possible in January, 2014, and attend Landrum High School's Financial Aid Night on January 27th.

Financial Aid 101

Here's a link to information on how financial aid works. Remember, to fill out your FAFSA. This is the only way to determine if you are eligible for financial aid.

Financial Aid - $ For College

Now is the time to complete the FAFSA. This is your free application for federal student aid. This form must be completed in order for you to receive any grants and loans, and some scholarships. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete the form. You will need to get a pin number for both you and your parents. It's important that you complete this form soon!

Financial Aid

There will be a Financial Aid Night on January 13th at 6 p.m. for all seniors and their parents. All seniors who are planning to attend a tech school, community college or four year university or college, should complete their FAFSA form. To complete a FAFSA online, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov. A FAFSA form cannot be completed until the end of January, however, you should go ahead and acquire a student and parent pin number.