101 Tips for Maximizing College Financial Aid by Alice Orzechowski, CPA, CMA, EA Table of Contents:

Chapter One - Introduction

Chapter Two – Understanding Financial Aid

Other Aid
Financial Aid Administrator
Forms of Financial Aid
Sources of Financial Aid
Qualifications for Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Process
Needs Analysis
Federal Methodology
Cost of Attendance
Expected Family Contribution
Assets Included in the Federal Methodology
Assets Not-Included in the Federal Methodology
The FAFSA Form
Where to Obtain a FAFSA
Signing and Submitting the Completed FAFSA
FAFSA Deadlines
FAFSA Follow-up
Check Status
SAR – Student Aid Report
When Should Corrections be Made
Verification
The Financial Aid Award
Appealing a Financial Aid Award

Chapter Three - Completing the FAFSA Form

Step One – General Student Information
Step Two – Student’s Financial Information
Step Three – Questions to Determine Student Status
Step Four – Parents Information
Step Five – Independent Student Information
Step Six – Schools to Receive Information
Step Seven - Signatures
Worksheet A
Worksheet B
Worksheet C

Chapter Four - Section 529 Plans

Prepaid Tuition Plans
College Savings Plans

Chapter Five - Coverdell Education Savings Accounts

Appendices

Appendix A – FAFSA Application Paper Version

Appendix B – FAFSA Application Electronic Version

Appendix C – FAFSA Verification Worksheets

Appendix D – FAFSA Question 31 Worksheet

Appendix E - EFC Formula for Independent Students

Appendix F - Where to Obtain Additional Information

Return to top