Applying for financial aid has just become easier - the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has gone mobile. The FAFSA is the first step in nearly all student aid - it's the application for federal student aid (for both grants and federal loans), is used by many states to determine state grant aid, and is required by most colleges and universities to apply for institutional scholarships. This summer, the US Department of Education updated the FAFSA website to be mobile friendly, allowing students and their families to complete the application on their phone or other mobile device. They also developed an app (myStudentAid) that is meant to provide one-stop shopping for all things financial aid.
The app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices, allows students to complete the FAFSA, edit and manage their federal student aid ID (FSA ID), view federal student loans and loan history, access financial aid information on studentaid.gov, and eventually students should be able to use the app to make student loan payments. The app also customizes the FAFSA experience based on the type of user (student or parent), making the process easier and less confusing. Perhaps best of all, it provides access to important financial aid information and applications on the devices where we spend much of our lives.
Remember, the application window for the FAFSA opens October 1, and absolutely needs to be completed by March 2 to qualify for California state aid. The sooner you complete the application, the better, as some types of financial aid are first come, first served, and have limited availability. And with the added convenience of the mobile app, there's no excuse to put it off.
To download the app, visit Google Play or the Apple App store at the links provided below.
Google Play
Apple App Store
