by Tori Morrison

Created on: February 22, 2010

Financial aid has opened the door for students from all backgrounds and income levels to attend college. No matter what your situation is, obtaining a strong financial aid package relieves financial pressure from both you and your family. Here are five tips to boost your financial aid package:

1. File Your FAFSA Early

The FAFSA is the form you must fill out if you want to receive federal aid for school. Depending on your financial circumstances and your school’s tuition and fees, the government will award you money for higher education. Colleges and universities often look at the FAFSA when determining grant eligibility as well, so be sure to fill out the information accurately.

The earlier you file your taxes, the better. You can fill out the FAFSA for the following school year anytime after January 1st, so gather your W-2 and take advantage of a free tax service if you are unsure how to file efficiently. Keep in mind that most students will be considered dependents, so you will also have to provide financial information for one parent.

Be sure to check with your school as to when the financial aid deadline is. Most schools require students to submit their FAFSA before March, but as said before, the earlier you can do it, the better.

2. Meet with a Financial Aid Advisor

Financial aid advisors exist to help students get the most money possible. Gather your tax papers and be sure to write down any special circumstances you may have. Remember to be enthusiastic about going to the school so that the financial aid advisor views you as a strong candidate for additional aid.

During this visit, be sure to ask for information about scholarships both with the school and in the community. Financial aid offices are full of information that may not be available elsewhere, so pick up some brochures while you are there. There is always a way to afford college without burying yourself in debt, you just have to ask for some guidance and do some research.

3. Maintain Good Grades

Hard work can get you a long way when it comes to financial aid. Most colleges and universities offer scholarship money to students who perform well in high school. Depending on your GPA, SAT scores and/or ACT scores, you could find yourself eligible for partial or full-ride scholarships. This can save you thousands of dollars in tuition and fees by the end of your four years in college.

Getting good grades in high school is only half the job. Be sure to maintain a high GPA while in college, otherwise

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