{"id":43543,"date":"2019-06-27T10:25:06","date_gmt":"2019-06-27T15:25:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/?post_type=advice&p=43543"},"modified":"2023-05-01T08:33:17","modified_gmt":"2023-05-01T13:33:17","slug":"as-an-adult-am-i-eligible-for-fafsa","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/advice\/as-an-adult-am-i-eligible-for-fafsa\/","title":{"rendered":"As an Adult, am I Eligible for FAFSA?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As an adult who is considering going back to school, you might be wondering if you\u2019re eligible for financial aid. Hearing \u201cFAFSA\u201d might conjure an image of eager teens gearing up for their first day of classes. Fear not\u2014adult students are not left to finance their education alone! Nearly everyone who applies, regardless of age, receives some type of aid. The FAFSA is a form that determines your eligibility for federal grants, work-study programs, and loans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Common eligibility requirements include citizenship status, a valid social security number, a high school diploma or a GED, enrollment in an eligible program, and a good standing on a federal student loan. Visit <\/span>studentaid.ed <\/span><\/a>for a full list of requirements.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding FAFSA:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Filling out the FAFSA form can be easier than you think. The key is to be prepared and patient. Create an <\/span>FSA ID<\/span><\/a> so you can easily access your online application and avoid processing delays. Prepare all the necessary documents so you can easily find and fill in the important information. Remember, since you are an independent student, you will only provide your own tax return data (or your spouse\u2019s if you are married). Completing the FAFSA does take time, but the rewards are worth it, so be patient!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from general information about you (your name, date of birth, address, etc), the FAFSA also requires information about your financial situation. This information comes from your federal tax returns, including IRS W-2 information for you and your spouse. You will also be expected to provide your social security number and, if you have one, your driver\u2019s license number.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of Aid<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Perhaps the most confusing and intimidating aspect of the financial aid process is making sense of the types of aid offered and what they will mean in the long run. FAFSA makes it easy for you and offers three types of aid based on your eligibility: grants, work-study, and loans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Grants<\/b> are a type of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Essentially free money, grants are an optimal way to pay for your degree. The Federal Pell Grant is the most common, but it is only available to students completing their first degree; students pursuing a master\u2019s degree are not eligible. Your eligibility for the Pell Grant is determined by your FAFSA.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>work-study program<\/b> matches you with an on-campus job in which you earn money to pay for educational expenses. Adult students who qualify are welcome to take advantage of this opportunity. If you are unable to do so because of other work or family obligations, don\u2019t worry; there are still other ways to finance your education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Typically, <\/span>loans<\/b> make up the bulk of your financial aid award. If hearing \u201cstudent loans\u201d sounds like nails on a chalkboard, you\u2019re not alone! With student debt at an all time high, you are wise to be wary of incurring debt. Taking out loans isn\u2019t something to take lightly, but you don\u2019t have to be afraid of them entirely, especially if they come from the government. Your FAFSA determines your eligibility for two types of federal student loans:<\/span><\/p>\n