When Is the Time To Apply For Financial Aid? NOW!!!

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Article Title: When Is the Time To Apply For Financial Aid? NOW!!! Author: Kenya Abney Word Count: 603 Author's Email: kenmoab1@msn.com ==================================== ARTICLE START ===================================Are you planning on attending college in the fall? Or, do you know someone that is? Now is the time to fill out the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In case you didn't know, the FAFSA is used to determine how much federal financial aid you are eligible for. The earlier you apply the greater your chances of securing the most money. In 2005, $143 billion was awarded to students to pay for college. The money can be distributed in different forms: grants, scholarships, work-study programs and low-cost loans. Some of the aid requires that you meet specific financial guidelines. Don't let that stop you because you never know what you might be eligible for. Student Loans and other types of aid are available to a wider population.

"Every high school graduate with a Social Security Number is entitled to free or cheap money to pay for college," says Martha Holler, Sallie Mae spokesperson. "Completing the FAFSA is the first step in the process. More than 13 million students apply each year. Make sure you are one of them so you don't miss out on money for college."

You can pick up a form at the local Library, your Guidance Counselor's office or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Forms can be submitted after January 1, 2006 and before the college's and state's application deadline. After you have finalized your form, contact the schools that you are interested to see if you need to fill out additional forms to cover your expenses.

Sallie Mae Fund's, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, is currently accepting applications for the following programs:

"First in My Family" Scholarship Program: The Sallie Mae Fund developed the First in My Family program in partnership with the Hispanic College Fund in 2001. Hispanic-American students who are the first in their family to attend college are eligible for scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000. Application deadline: April 15

"Unmet Need" Scholarship Program: In its third year, the Unmet Need Scholarship Program is the largest scholarship program within Project Access. Open to families with a combined income of less than $30,000, Unmet Need scholarships provide a "last-dollar" resource when no other funds are available. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,800. Application deadline: May 31

"American Dream" Scholarship Program: The American Dream program was developed in partnership with the United Negro College Fund, and offers scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 to African-American students with demonstrated financial need. Application deadline: April 15

"Writers of Passage" Scholarship Program: In partnership with the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, this program involves an essay competition that awards winning students from a Historically Black College or University, or a predominantly black college, with a $5,000 college scholarship. Universities of winning students will receive a $20,000 grant from The Sallie Mae Fund. Application deadline: March 3

The Sallie Mae 911 Education Fund: Created in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, this fund provides scholarship dollars of up to $2,500 to children of those who were killed or permanently disabled in the attacks. The fund also provides grants, which enable spouses of those who were killed or deemed permanently disabled in the attacks to pay off their Sallie Mae education loans. Application deadline: Open

To be eligible for The Sallie Mae Fund scholarship programs, students must be accepted and enrolled at a Title IV eligible, accredited postsecondary two- or four-year college or university, vocational, or technical school in the United States or Puerto Rico, and meet program-specific eligibility requirements. You can get an application and more information at www.salliemaefund.org

For more general information about planning and paying for college, visit www.CollegeAnswer.com

About The Author: Kenya Abney has been a featured writer on the web. She is a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant. Beauty is always a click away at www.marykay.com/kabney4. She shares helpful tips and interesting tidbits at her blog, Kenya's Corner (kmabney.blogspot.com).