FAFSA deadline quickly approaches

by rebecca rossiter
staff writer

The deadline is coming up for students to turn in the form that dictates the amount of student financial aid available to them: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The deadline for the FAFSA is March 2, and the application is free and only takes about half an hour to complete.
Eligibility for a Cal Grant, Named Scholarship, Departmental Award, Pell grants, Perkin loans and Parent Plus loans depend on it.
“You never know, you could be eligible for institutional aid,” said Kevin Kemp, director of student accounts. “Graduate students should apply, too.”
Sandra Clark, financial aid adviser, recommended using the new IRS data retrieval option when filling out the FAFSA. The IRS retrieval option links in with the IRS and automatically enters in tax information, which prevents possible errors. The option is available about two weeks after taxes are filed.
Clark suggested to use summer to plan for next semester. While students are busy with their spring semester, the financial aid office is busy planning next year’s financial aid package.
She also encouraged students to apply for the Named Scholarship, which requires a filed FAFSA. Even if no institution aid is available, it is always best to apply since other awards can be given, Clark said.
Matthew Hammond, a senior engineering physics major, works as a financial aid peer adviser (FAPA). He advises students to create a budget so they can see where their money is going.
“My goal is to sit in Young Hall and remind students to fill it out,” said Hammond, “[even though] not too many students come for help specifically. [T]he government really makes it pretty simple to fill out if you put an effort in.”
According to Hammond, the main question students ask is: “How do I get more money (i.e. scholarships)?” and the answer is to ask the Student Financial Services office, located in Draper Hall. SFS can be reached at (619) 849-2538 or at sfs@pointloma.edu.