There’s a lot to keep in mind when it comes to receiving financial aid. There’s loans, grants, work study, scholarships and the rules for each type of aid are a little bit different. It’s good to stay informed so you can make the best decision about what type of aid works for you. Some deadlines are coming up quick, so now is the time to do some research and get your applications turned in.
1) Submit FAFSA by March 5 to receive summer aid
Summer classes are a great way to get ahead on some credits and make your workload during the fall and spring semesters a bit lighter. Good news! The FAFSA is always free to fill out and once you’ve done that it will automatically determine your eligibility for loans, grants, and scholarships as well. It’s a great first step to get out of the way before you move on to other types of aid.
2) Pell grants are automatically added to your account
After you complete your FAFSA, your academic need will be calculated based on your course load, your financial need, and your total cost of attendance. If you are awarded pell grants (which are funds that don’t need to be paid back), you don’t even have to do anything. The grants will automatically be added to your outstanding balance before any loans.
3) You can qualify for work study with your FAFSA
Sometimes loans, grants, and scholarships don’t cover everything. After you’ve done your FAFSA, you may also qualify for work study jobs which can help fund your education. You can also do this if you just want to get a head start on paying off your student loans or want the work experience.
4) Apply for scholarships by May 1 to receive fall 2021 scholarships
The deadline for scholarships has been extended this year for students. So, you’ve got some time to check out what types of scholarships apply to you, the requirements for each application, and get everything turned in! There is an entire scholarship database available and you’ll be amazed at just how many scholarships are out there. Keep in mind that some specific scholarships may have different deadlines than the Boise State May 1 deadline. Make sure you don’t miss any opportunities by missing deadlines.
5) When in doubt, ask!
The Financial Aid and Scholarships office is here to help inform you and about these decisions and navigate the nitty-gritty. Everyone’s financial situation is different, and there are experts available to help answer your questions and help you make a plan.
5 ½) Man, it feels good to not worry about aid!
Once you’ve turned everything in, you’ll feel so much better now that your financial aid is taken care of!