Jim Burress / WABE News
February is an essential month for college-bound seniors.
Although Georgia has no state-specific deadline for submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or “FAFSA,” universities have their own deadlines, many of which fall in February.
But experts say the FAFSA isn’t only for those about to head off for college.
Caya Williams is a junior at South Cobb High School’s magnet program, and is a year away from college.
She knows she wants to go to Spelman, if she can afford it.
“If there is a college that is going to offer me a full ride outside of Georgia, then I’ll be completely fine with that. I just have to research more.”
As part of that research, Caya and mother Erika are enlisting Karen Powell, a certified financial planner and owner of College Fund Resource in Dunwoody. She says families shouldn’t wait until a child’s senior year to fill one the FAFSA.
“No matter what age your child, if you assume your situation might be similar when they are close to college, get [the Expected Family Contribution] established,” she says.
By doing so, families will better understand what their EFC, or “out-of-pocket” costs could be.
To do that, Powell recommends gathering tax returns, investment and other financial statements.
While Georgia has no FAFSA deadline, the federal government cut-off date is June 30th.
Official FAFSA web site at the U.S. Department of Education
“An Overview of the FAFSA and the Application Process,” a good introduction to the FAFSA from Peterson’s, Inc.
“Answers to Your Questions About the FAFSA,” part one of a six-part series for college applicants from the New York Times, January 14, 2013.
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