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Now’s the time to begin looking at college finances

For most of us, the new year is a time for a fresh start. For those needing help to pay for an education, it’s the time to get started, experts say.

High school seniors and others planning to attend school next fall should apply for financial aid as soon as possible after Jan. 1, according to Larry Mitcham, financial aid director at Gordon College in Barnesville. “The longer you wait, the greater risk you run that you will not get aid in a timely manner,” he said.

But before prospective students can apply, they will need help from their parents.

“Those needing financial aid should remind their parents to prepare their income tax returns as soon as possible,” Mitcham said. “Tax information is required for evaluating eligibility.”

The application process itself is quick and easy thanks to a Web site provided by the federal department of education, Mitcham noted. A free financial aid application is available at the site, www.fafsa.ed.gov, and to make the process even easier, you can apply for both federal and Georgia state aid at the same time.

A reply could come quickly, as soon as five days, if you provide your e-mail address. But, again, applications have to be made early, Mitcham pointed out.

During peak times, in spring and summer, the process is slowed. It may take up to a month before you receive what’s known as a Student Aid Report, Mitcham said. Mailed reports may take even longer to arrive.

When you receive your SAR, look it over, Mitcham said. “It’s very important to check your report carefully to make sure your responses are correct.”

Despite a recent slumping economy, money is available for students, Mitcham said. “You just need to apply for it.”

Financial aid includes scholarships, grants, which you don’t have to pay back, and loans, which you do. Georgia offers the HOPE scholarship, which has aided more than 800,000 students since its inception in 1993.

On the Web site, a HOPE applicant can choose the school he or she wants the application sent to, and that school will evaluate the person’s eligibility, Mitcham said. Also, schools and the state of Georgia use information from the free application to determine if you qualify for other state or federal aid programs, and by schools that award their own funds, he added.

A basic requirement for the HOPE scholarship is an overall grade point average of 3.0, or B. Other financial aid includes work-study programs, where students earn money while enrolled in school to help pay educational expenses; the Georgia LEAP grant program, which is based on financial need; and a loan program for qualifying students.

On the federal Web site is information on what documents, such as income tax forms, are needed to fill out the application; deadlines for applying for state grant programs and a pre-application worksheet that you may want to complete before filling out the free application on the Web.

Even though the federal site will edit your information to prevent errors, you should review the information yourself before you submit it, according to the financial aid director. “When you are filling out any application, whether online or otherwise, you have to make sure all application material is filled out completely and accurately.

“In addition, be aware of application deadlines, and familiarize yourself with all financial aid procedures from the beginning of the process to the end.”

If you can’t get online, forms can be obtained from your high school counselor’s office, the Gordon College financial aid office, or other colleges or universities.

Another Web site, www.fastweb.com, provides comprehensive information on available scholarships. Many of those go unused each year because people are not aware of them or they do not want to take the time to meet the requirements, such as writing an essay, Mitcham said. Usually, though, the tasks do not take long, he said.

“You can enter your profile on the scholarship site and it will tell you what scholarships you might be eligible for,” Mitcham said. “Loans are another form of financial aid that many students take advantage of,” he added.