Financial Aid--No comprendo...ayudar! porfavor!

<p>okay..
so Can someone explain to me financial aid?
I don't want loans...I want these free money grants type of financial aid..
IS it too late to submit it?
Thanks</p>

<p>So here's a crash course in FA - there are several forms of FA. There are federal programs that offer loans that you pay interest on while you are in school and other loans that you do not pay anything until 6 months after you graduate or leave school. There are work programs on campus where your "pay" is put towards your tuition. Then there are grants that you do not pay back at all. There are federal grants, state grants, school grants and department grants. School grants are usually based on merit or some other skill. They are offered to you at the time of admission together with the finanical aid loans. Most colleges try to assure a student 100% tuition coverage, but in these tough economic times, it is not always possible and the student is responsible for some of the tuition. Does this help?</p>

<p>To continue - a federal form that most colleges refer to in determining what FA you will receive is called the FAFSA form which is due beginning January 1st of every school year and the deadline usually falls around Feb 1-15th. The later you get it into the schools the later the application gets reviewed and the less likely you are to get a lot of money simply because much of the money has already been allocated to other students. If you have not submitted the FAFSA form yet, you need to connect with yoru guidance counselor and parents, as well as getting a quick phone call into the FA office of you college choices. You are really behind and need to move fast if you want any money at all.</p>

<p>okay thanks alot do you know the deadline for GWU for FAFSA?
Also..if it is passed the deadline, it is possible to request it the next semester since we pay by semester? --meaning that I will be paying the full amount of tuition for the first semester and the second semester I submit my FAFSA to get some money?
thanks</p>

<p>The FAFSA deadline for GW was February 1st. GW also requires another form called a CSS Profile that can be filled out on collegeboard.com Even though you are late, I would still fill both forms out and get them to GW asap! They might be able to give you something despite the late filing. I would call the FA office (202) 994-6620 and let them know you are filing late. Then your last call should be to your guidance counselor - obviously they are sitting around doing nothing!!! Good luck!</p>