Forget their "two front teeth," thousands of Florida students want college financial aid this Christmas.
Starting Jan. 1, students can apply for help with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The process determines how much financial aid schools can award based on a family's financial situation.
Sheia Pleasant-Doine, associate director of financial aid at Flagler College, says it's important to keep track of each school's deadline.
"It's tough when students are applying to multiple schools," she says. "But it's really important to be aware of
ST. 
AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Forget their "two front whatever the deadlines are for each school they're applying to, because the process and deadline can vary from school to school."
To prepare for the application process, students and parents need to collect federal income tax returns and investment statements. Florida high school graduates are also eligible for the merit-based Bright Futures Scholarship Program funded by the state lottery. The deadline for that program for the 2015-16 academic year is next August.
Laurie Wolfe, board member of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, says the holidays are an ideal time to "get some legwork" done.
"Christmas is a good time to sit down with the family and start talking about what needs to be looked at," says Wolfe. "I highly encourage people to get a hold of a copy of that application now, look through it, and pull together the documents you need."
Pleasant-Doine says it's important students understand how a little time spent on applications for financial aid and scholarships now can pay big dividends later.
"When you're applying for that financial aid, it might seem like a lot of work, but it is through that work and searching you ultimately find money," she says. "The more requirements a scholarship has, the fewer people who bother to apply. So it increases your odds and makes it worth the time.
Experts also recommend students consider volunteer opportunities that can make for helpful experience in getting a scholarship while in high school, or pursuing high school courses that can be counted for college credit.
Starting Jan. 1, students can apply for help with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The process determines how much financial aid schools can award based on a family's financial situation.
Sheia Pleasant-Doine, associate director of financial aid at Flagler College, says it's important to keep track of each school's deadline.
"It's tough when students are applying to multiple schools," she says. "But it's really important to be aware of
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| PHOTO: Jan. 1 is the start date for applying for college loans and grants based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for 2015. Photo credit: U.S. Government. |
AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Forget their "two front whatever the deadlines are for each school they're applying to, because the process and deadline can vary from school to school."To prepare for the application process, students and parents need to collect federal income tax returns and investment statements. Florida high school graduates are also eligible for the merit-based Bright Futures Scholarship Program funded by the state lottery. The deadline for that program for the 2015-16 academic year is next August.
Laurie Wolfe, board member of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, says the holidays are an ideal time to "get some legwork" done.
"Christmas is a good time to sit down with the family and start talking about what needs to be looked at," says Wolfe. "I highly encourage people to get a hold of a copy of that application now, look through it, and pull together the documents you need."
Pleasant-Doine says it's important students understand how a little time spent on applications for financial aid and scholarships now can pay big dividends later.
"When you're applying for that financial aid, it might seem like a lot of work, but it is through that work and searching you ultimately find money," she says. "The more requirements a scholarship has, the fewer people who bother to apply. So it increases your odds and makes it worth the time.
Experts also recommend students consider volunteer opportunities that can make for helpful experience in getting a scholarship while in high school, or pursuing high school courses that can be counted for college credit.
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