FAFSA Completion Help Available

OhioHigherEd.org Provide Tips for Filling Out the FAFSA

COLUMBUS, OH, Jan. 19, 2012– As students apply to colleges and celebrate their acceptances, the University System of Ohio reminds them to fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The U.S. Department of Education has set up a process to help students pay for college, and it starts with filing the FAFSA. It is the process by which the U.S. Department of Education allocates billions of dollars in federal aid to students. FAFSA is the primary tool used to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid as well as aid from many colleges and universities.

Help completing the FAFSA is available. The University System of Ohio has posted a helpful video on its website,http://students.ohiohighered.org/paying/FAFSAthat provides tips and advice for filling out and filing the FAFSA. The OhioHigherEd.org website also features afact sheetabout the FAFSA that answers potential questions.

USA Todayrecently reported that about 28 percent of families with college-bound students did not submit a FAFSA in 2010. About half said they were not aware of the form or didn't think they would qualify. All college-bound students should take a few minutes and complete the process. Federal Financial Aid and many other types of financial aid are determined based on the information provided in the FAFSA.