Estimate Your Aid (FAFSA4caster) 
If you would like to estimate your federal student aid, but aren t yet ready to apply for aid , try FAFSA4caster. FAFSA4caster is a simple eligibility estimator tool that can help you plan when it comes to paying for college. FAFSA4caster gives you a free estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. You must use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA form to apply for aid once you ve decided to apply for admission and attend college. Understand Your Options with FAFSA4caster Types of Questions Asked in FAFSA4caster Information Provided by FAFSA4caster FAFSA4caster is not an application for aid ; it s a planning tool. Complete the FAFSA form when you are ready to apply for aid. 

Understand Your Options with FAFSA4caster 
FAFSA4caster is a helpful tool for anyone who is not yet ready to submit a FAFSA form it s recommended for high school juniors, and even as early as middle school. Parents of younger students can use FAFSA4caster to receive early estimates, create scenarios based on future earnings, and then establish college funding strategies. Adult students also can use FAFSA4caster to get an idea of how much and what types of federal aid they might receive. 

Types of Questions Asked in FAFSA4caster 
In FAFSA4caster , you answer financial and other questions that are used to estimate your federal student aid eligibility. You may be able to answer most of the questions easily , but some of the questions may ask you to reference your personal records for instance, your federal tax information or your bank statements. For the most accurate estimate , be sure to answer all the questions on FAFSA4caster, even if you have to estimate or guess. You can print each estimate once FAFSA4caster completes the calculation. 

Information Provided by FAFSA4caster 
When you have completed all the relevant questions in the FAFSA4caster , the screen displays a worksheet to help you determine the net cost of attending college

user: Hey, I need a hand with estimating my aid online.

assistant: Of course. Would you like to estimate your federal student aid , but aren't yet ready to apply for aid?

user: Not quite. I'm ready to apply.

user: Can I simply fill in the college grants that I hope to receive or do I need an accurate number?

assistant: Yes, you can fill in the amounts of state and college grants, and any scholarships, that you expect or hope to get.

user: What kind of questions do I need to fill out when I use FAFSA4caster?

assistant: You answer financial and other questions that are used to estimate your federal student aid eligibility. You may be able to answer most of the questions easily, but some of the questions may ask you to reference your personal records for instance, your federal tax information or your bank statements.

user: Do you have any information regarding FAFSA4caster?

assistant: Yes, we do have information provided by FAFSA4caster.

user: What happens when I select "calculate"?

assistant: Once you select "calculate", FAFSA4caster summarizes the cost, the total aid entered, and the difference the net cost of attending college. our estimated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) also appears.