See the Financial Aid Office for qualifications. A. Apply as early as possible in the year you plan to attend college. Check with each college for their priority date for application. These priority dates pertain to College Work Study and Federal Perkins Loan money that the college receives from the Federal Government. There is no priority date for a Federal Stafford Loan or for receiving a Pell Grant.
Most programs assume a certain level of family contribution.
Discuss your situation with your financial aid counselor. Q. My parents want to help, but they can t afford the amount of the family contribution. Your parents can borrow a Federal PLUS Loan to satisfy your family s contribution. Financial aid isn t just for lower income families. In fact, the unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan and the Federal PLUS Loan are available regardless of income.