FAFSA
Do not be fooled by those other sites. Your first stop in your pursuit of college is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will need last year's tax return. If you filed on your parents' return, then you will need them to assist you. College financial aid departments first have you go through this process in determining your eligibility for scholarships, grants, and student loans. Be mindful of those deadlines and complete your application as soon as possible. The best part is it saves your information so you do not have to re-enter your information year after year. Each year you will go back and update your tax information and receive your new determination. Oh, and do not lose that all important paper with your PIN. This will be mailed to you and you will need this every time you log in.
And while you are on the FAFSA site, find your state and find those deadlines as well. Good luck!
