February 3, 2010
Now is a Good Time to Start Applying for Financial Aid
As citizens in Chesterfield, Marlboro and Dillon Counties begin to prepare to file their 2009 tax forms, Sheryll Marshall, coordinator of financial assistance at Northeastern Technical College, says that this is also a perfect time to start the financial aid application process.
“Whether you are planning to apply for financial aid for the upcoming summer term or fall semester, now is the time to start,” she said. “Not only are students more likely to get the money they need, this also better ensures they can start their education on time.”
Marshall explained that the steps to apply are fairly simple; it just takes a little time and effort to follow through with the process. But once students have completed the application and submitted the appropriate forms, the most difficult part of the process is complete.
“It’s very easy to do,” she said. “It’s an electronic process that takes less than 30 minutes if you have the documents you need.”
Students will need to have a copy of their federal tax return and W2 forms. This information will be used to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and determine eligibility. Students planning to enroll in the upcoming summer term at Northeastern Technical College and need financial aid must have their tax documents from 2008.
Students planning to enroll in the Fall 2010 semester must have 2009 tax documents.
“As soon as you file your tax forms, make sure to keep copies of the federal tax return, schedules and W-2 forms,” Marshall advised. “This paper work is necessary to complete the financial process no matter what term or semester you are planning to start college.
Retaining copies of these documents is especially important to remember because many people do their taxes online, or with tax preparation software and only retain a receipt showing they filed electronically.
Marshall almost reminds students and parents to make sure tax forms are filed correctly because the financial aid office is obligated to know the following information:
- Whether or not an individual was required to file a tax return
- What an individual’s correct filing status should be
- That an individual cannot be claimed as an exemption by more than one person.
More information about the variety of financial aid programs and how to apply by visiting the Financial Aid webage or by calling 843-921-6939. Financial aid applications may also be completed and submitted online by visiting WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV. Paper applications are available by calling 1-800-4Fed-Aid (1-800-433-3243).
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