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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Jaret Gibbons |
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Gibbons: Most important college financial aid application now available
HARRISBURG, Jan. 25 – State Rep. Jaret Gibbons is reminding first-time and returning college students the Free Application for Federal Student Aid can be competed online.
"For college students and their families, the FAFSA is the most important financial aid application you will submit," Gibbons said. "The FAFSA not only determines your eligibility for federal grants and loans, it is used by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to determine eligibility for a State Grant and by a variety schools to determine eligibility for their financial aid packages."
Gibbons urged families to complete and submit the application as soon as possible. The deadline for most students to submit a FAFSA to be considered for a State Grant is May 1, but some colleges have earlier financial aid deadlines. Estimated federal income tax information can be used on the FAFSA if a family has not yet completed its federal income tax return.
Students who have submitted a FAFSA electronically in previous years and provided an e-mail address should receive an e-mail reminder from the federal government that their renewal application is available. Students who did not previously fill out the FAFSA online will receive a reminder in the mail.
Students need a Personal Identification Number to fill out and sign the FAFSA electronically. PIN numbers are available by visiting www.pin.ed.gov.
Gibbons said the PHEAA Web site, www.PHEAA.org/FAFSA, is an excellent source of information about how to fill out the FAFSA. You can also find the link on his web site at www.pahouse.com/Gibbons under the Resources for Families section.
PHEAA and the Pennsylvania Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators will also offer free FAFSA Completion Events across the state where students and their families can get personal guidance with questions they might have. A link to a schedule of these events is available at www.PHEAA.org under the "Fill Out the FAFSA" section.