First Posted: 1/22/2012
Rep. Karen Boback (R-Columbia/Luzerne/Wyoming) reminds students that the 2012-13 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for completion.
The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal grants, the need-based Pennsylvania State Grant, certain scholarships, reduced-cost federal student loans, work-study programs and many school-based student aid programs.
Institutions of higher education may have varying financial aid deadlines so students are encouraged to complete the forms early.
The deadline for the Pennsylvania State Grant is May 1 for all applicants submitting a renewal and first-time applicants in degree and transfer programs.
Boback noted that applicants should be wary of organizations that charge for assistance in completing or submitting the FAFSA form, as free assistance is available through PHEA and there is no cost to submit the application.
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) offers free FAFSA completion sessions across the Commonwealth from January through April. The FAFSA form can be accessed directly at .
