What Happens Next
What’s Next
Filing the FAFSA is only the first step toward financing your college education. To help
make sure you receive all the financial aid you qualify for, follow these additional steps.
Student Aid Report
You should get this form from the U.S. Department of Education in a couple of weeks.
Check it over carefully to make sure all your information is correct. If you need to make
changes, follow the instructions on the form or visit www.fafsa.gov to make changes
using your electronic personal identification number (PIN).
Verification
You might be chosen for verification. It’s quite common to receive a verification request
from one or more of the schools you listed on your FAFSA. Simply return the requested
paperwork as soon as possible to avoid delay of your financial aid processing.
Compare Award Letters
You’ll receive an award letter from each college you’ve been admitted to and that has
received your FAFSA results. The letter is part of the school’s financial aid package,
which may also include loan documents. Specific awards you’re eligible for if you attend
the college are outlined in the letter. Focus on grants, scholarships and work-study
opportunities first, these types of financial aid do not need to be repaid and should be
exhausted before you consider loans.
Scholarship Search
You should never have to pay for scholarship assistance. Review the enclosed list of free
resources available for scholarship searches.
Loans
If you do find that you need to borrow some money, choose wisely. Carefully consider
how much your education will cost from now until graduation and how much you can
offset with savings, earnings and forms of aid that don’t need to be repaid.
In general, you should choose federally guaranteed student loans over any private loans.
Federal loans have rates and fees set by the federal government that will usually cost
less over the long run than those of private loans.
Get More Information
If you need additional help, contact your college’s financial aid or admissions office.
You can also visit the Iowa College Access Network® (ICAN) in Cedar Rapid or West Des Moines for assistance. Visit the ICAN Web site at www.ICANsucceed.org, e-mail ICAN@ICANsucceed.org or call (877) 272-4692.
