Potential Magazine Mar/Apr 2014 | Page 12

+healthy life skills tips & advice resources/5 things pay the way ge 101 pay the way gear up FAFSA update test prep GET STARTED me on parent to parent The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the main ways students can access “free federal money” (federal and state grants, federal loans, work study, etc.) for college. FAFSA’S NEW INITIATIVES ARE NOT ONLY MAKING THIS APPLICATION PROCESS EASIER, BUT ALSO MAKING MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS AVAILABLE TO EVEN MORE STUDENTS. NOTE THESE RECENT CHANGES TO THE 2013-2014 FAFSA. BY JASMINE YORK Q The What? IRS Data Retrieval The FAFSA form determines your EFC (expected family contribution) and sends this to the colleges you designate. Each college will create a financial aid package. So, it is in your best interest to apply to several colleges to compare your cost and loan amounts. 17% Instead of manually entering in all your income tax informati ۂ