Free Application for Federal Student Aid Deadline for College-Bound Pennsylvania Students Approaching

College-bound Pennsylvania students seeking financial aid must file out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible, according to Senator Pat Browne, R-16th district (parts of Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe Counties).

The deadline for submitting the FAFSA to determine eligibility for a 2008-09 Pennsylvania State Grant is May 1, 2008.

The FAFSA is used to determine if students qualify for almost all forms of need-based financial aid, including the Pennsylvania State Grant, federal Pell Grant, many scholarships and institutional awards and low-cost student loans.

Families are encouraged to visit www.pheaa.org/fafsa to access the 2008-09 online FAFSA and a FAFSA on the Web Worksheet to help walk them through the application process step-by-step. Students may also file online at www.educationplanner.org or www.fafsa.ed.gov.

The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) prefers that students file electronically. It is also better for students since it is faster and easier. USDE will only send paper FAFSAs to individuals who personally request a paper form by calling 1-800-433-3243.

May 1 is also the application deadline for high school seniors who wish to be considered for the federal Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. For more information, visit PHEAA's website at www.pheaa.org.

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 821-8468