Whether you are a first-time student, a returning student or a transfer student, the first step to applying for many scholarships, grants and student loans is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student aid, commonly known as the FAFSA

The information you provide on the FAFSA helps determine the types and amounts of financial aid for which you might be eligible. Students need to complete the FAFSA for every year they attend college.

Filling out the FAFSA should always be FREE and gives you access to four primary sources (federal government, state government, college and universities and private organizations) of financial aid to help pay for education beyond high school.

The FAFSA is required to obtain federal financial aid, which includes grants and student loans. Missouri uses the FAFSA to determine eligibility for many state financial aid programs including the A+ Scholarship.

The FAFSA should be completed by everyone attending a postsecondary institution. It is easier now than it has ever been, with detailed instructions for each question and an IRS retrieval step. You can even access a real-time, private online chat to speak with a customer service representative if you need additional help.

New this year, all students will need to first apply for a Financial Aid ID (FSA ID). The FSA ID is a username and password combination that serves as a student’s or parent’s identifier to allow access to personal information in various US Department of Education systems. In previous years the PIN was used, it no longer is used.

Items needed to complete the FAFSA include Social security number, Alien registration or permanent resident card, federal income tax returns, W2’s and other income earned, Parents’ federal income tax return, a record of untaxed income, current bank statements and other records of investments.

The FAFSA can be filled using estimated tax information from 2014. This is often the best method if you do not get your taxes done in the early weeks of filing. If you estimate, then later you will need to update the information after filing the 2015 taxes. Once your 2015 taxes are filed, use the IRS DATA Retrieval Tool.

Assistance to complete the FAFSA is being given by Dixon High School Counselor, Mrs. Carol Kirk. Mrs. Kirk is staying after school every Tuesday night until 6 pm during the next 6 weeks. Call the high school office or email her at ckirk@dixonr1.com. Other dates and times are available too.

On Sunday, February 28th, from 1 pm to 4 pm, Mrs. Kirk will be assisting at the Waynesville OTC FAFSA Frenzy event. This is a “come & go” event specifically designed to help families complete this task. Financial Aid experts will be there to provide additional assistance.

For any additional information about Scholarships, Financial Aid and/or FAFSA, please contact Mrs. Kirk at Dixon High School.