<p>Ok so after you pay your acceptance fee for a college, whats next? Like is there anyway to know like how much I'll need to pay? I'm so confused. Also, if someone could tell me how the financial aid process works in general. I tried google. But they're only really showing me how to pay for college and not how financial aid and everything else works.</p>
<p>You’ll apply for admission and possibly pay an application fee.
There may be a separate application for aid. Most colleges require you to submiting the FAFSA which is free. Some privates also require the CSS Profile.
If you’re accepted to the school, then soon after you’re receive a notice of your financial aid award. It will be based on some combination of merit and need according to the school’s policy.
If you want to go to the school but the aid package is insufficient, make an appeal to the financial aid office.
If you want to go to the school and the aid package is sufficient, then you pay a deposit on tuition to reserve your spot in the class. Even if you have a full ride you may have to pay a deposit. The deposit is typically non-refundable and is applied toward your semester bill.</p>
<p>That’s obviously quick-and-dirty, but does it help fill some holes?</p>
<p>If your school has given you some kind of “log on” ID and password or something, often you can log on and go to a billing area that will tell you what you owe and when.</p>
<p>Take this one step at a time. Make sure you have filled out the FAFSA at
[FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/]FAFSA”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/)</p>
<p>Do this as soon as possible. A parent will almost certainly have to help with much of it. It does take a bit to get it all done. You will also have to get a PIN number for you and parent to “Sign” the FAFSA online. IT is far, far better to do the FAFSA online than on paper/mail.</p>
<p>After the FAFSA is submitted,you will get a response with an EFC (Estimated Family Contribution). It will be an ugly number. Do not freak out. A few days later you will get your SAR (Student Aid Report). Print that off and keep it. </p>
<p>When you get your college admittance letter, it will show any grants, scholarships or work study or loans in a “package.” Now you are starting to see what the college will cost you. This may not come until early April. </p>
<p>Still, do not freak. Some things may be shaved off. For instance, if your family has health insurance, you may not have to buy college health insurance. Somewhere there will be info on what the billing cycle will be. Now you can start seeing where and when you need to pay. </p>
<p>Right now, it is absolutely critical that you get the FAFSA done. Many schools require it done by Feb 1. IF your family taxes are not done, go ahead and use the previous year’s tax return and do the best job you can of estimating what the 2009 earnings/taxes etc were. You can amend the FAFSA later when the 2009 taxes are done. </p>
<p>The FAFSA is how you tell your college “I’d like some money help please.” No FAFSA, no help. So get the FAFSA forms done and SOON!. Good luck!</p>
<p>Ditto what Olymom said - it’s important to get the FAFSA in as soon as possible. </p>
<p>Also, from your user name I’m guessing you may be applying to Penn State (PSU). If so, they usually send out their financial aid award notifications to incoming first-year students in March. </p>
<p>Once you do your FAFSA and find out your EFC (the figure that schools use in order to determine your financial need), you may be able to estimate how much (if any) state/federal grants you might get.</p>