FAFSA Information
from Mrs. Kostek
January 2010
Most DMC seniors have made application to at least one college at this point in time. If your student has not, please encourage them to do so. If they have questions on how to apply, have them stop by my office, I am happy to point them in the right direction.
Most colleges require their students to fill out a FAFSA form for financial aid. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is used to determine the amount of money a family is expected to contribute to the price of attending a postsecondary institution. The results of the FAFSA are used in determining student grants, work study, and loan amounts. If you plan to fill out the FAFSA online, you and your student will need to have a PIN number to file electronically. It is advised to apply for this PIN immediately so you will have it when you get ready to fill out the FAFSA. To apply for a FAFSA PIN go to www.fafsa.ed/gov, look at step number one and click on “students and parents apply for a pin”. The FAFSA can be filled out once your 2009 tax return has been filed. It is wise to get your taxes filed as soon as possible so you can file the FAFSA as early as you can.
I personally use the College Planning Center (160 South 68th Street, West Des Moines, 246-8561) to fill out the three FAFSA forms for my college kids. You can call and make an appointment, bring the necessary documentation and your PIN numbers and they will fill out the form electronically and file it for you. It has saved me hours!
Lastly, remember that DMC must provide documentation to the IA State Department of Education that 80% of our senior class has been accepted to a 4 year college. Please provide the office with a copy of the acceptance letter your child receives from a college. Even if your student plans on attending a community college, we ask that they make application to a 4 year college so that we can have that acceptance letter on file. Please contact me for colleges that have no application fee and I can provide you with that information.
Again, I am more that happy to help you and your student in any part of this college application/selection process. Contact me at 252-2490 or ckostek@dmcs.org.
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