by Theresa Ann White

Created on: February 28, 2009   Last Updated: February 15, 2010

The best way to launch your college financial aid application is through the government's FAFSA website. But beware of look-alikes and scams that charge the applicant a fee for applying. If the site does not say: "Free Application for Federal Student Aid," back up and search again. You are looking for the government website (.gov), not a commercial entity (.com).

The FAFSA site is fairly user friendly, though the process itself is time consuming. Its various sections must be completed before the application can be submitted. However, applicants can save their work and return later to complete the application. And, the online FAFSA offers help for applicants, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. The most efficient way to complete the FAFSA is to assemble all your documentation before beginning and to print out and use the worksheet provided.

The home page presents three areas to guide the applicant through the process from start to finish. Applicants can also check the status of their completed FAFSA here.

Part One is important, so do not skip it. "Before Beginning a FAFSA," gives the student the application deadline dates, the link for applying for a PIN number, listings of school codes, information regarding dependency status and a selection of worksheets.

Part Two contains the actual FAFSA application. The 2009-2010 application is now available for students entering college between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. The 2008-2009 application is also available for the enrollment period which began July 1, 2008. The 2008-2009 period comes to an end June 30, 2009. So applicants must choose the correct application based on their enrollment plans.

Part Two is a sizable chunk of the FAFSA website. It is where applicants enter all required personal and financial data for themselves, or their parents if they are dependents. The separate and handy worksheet should be printed out and used as a template before entering the information electronically. It reproduces the entire FAFSA application. It also guides applicants with essential information, such as the financial aid deadlines for all states and territories, and a listing of all documents required to complete the FAFSA.

The actual application is divided into five sections. Sections One and Two collect personal and financial information for the student and determines dependency status. If the student is a dependent, then the amount of financial aid will be determined by the parents' financial information

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