What Is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

Definition: Getting into graduate school is one thing. Paying for it is another. How will you pay for those 2-6 years of education? A graduate degree can easily cost $60,000 and often over $100,000. Most students require funding for tuition - but also for living expenses. Full time graduate study is a full time job. You'll need cash for living expenses such as rent, phone, food, and everything else it takes to stay afloat. So what do you do to account for the money that you won't be earning while in graduate school?

Your first step in funding graduate school is to complete the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You cannot apply for, or receive, any financial aid from any institution of higher education without completing this form. Don't wait to be accepted to a graduate program to complete the FAFSA - apply early, while you are submitting your applications. The U.S. Department of education runs a variety of student financial assistance programs, including grants, and loans. Your eligibility for aid is determined by the information that you provide in the FAFSA. The graduate program and university will also use your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for scholarships, grants, and institutional aid. Learn more about the FAFSA and apply: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm