Private College Student Loan

can anyone please tell how soon my daughter should start to apply for college grants,loans graduates in 2010?

i got all the info that she needs but the real ? is how soon should we start appling once again she graduates in 2010 and wants togo to the university.

Public Comments

1. She will have to fill out the FAFSA first..she can submit that beginning on Jan 1, 2010. She has to get a pin number beforehand. You should start reseaching scholarships soon too..you can use the due date of this year to estimate the due date of next...some scholarships are due in October. I am going through this process with my child now.so I am learning as I go along. Good luck!
2. It would be wise to narrow down her top school choices now and also visit sites like FASTWEB, they compile a multitude of various scholarships and whatnot that even current sophomores can apply for. My daughter began college this past August and was applied and accepted the day her Senior year started. Granted she only had one school she wanted to attend, so there wasn't any wait listing or interviews (it is a state school). Also be sure that you list the school se wishes to attend on the ACT and SAT paperwork. They will automatically send those schools copies of her scores. Doesn't mean you are obligated to apply there, but if you do, it one less piece of paperwork to send the school in the package. I had the FASFA filled out with everything I could about mid December, when I knew what my true gross earnings were etc. You can leave it in edit mode and come back to it once you do your taxes (or have them done) but I suggest you do it IMMEDIATELY if you are hoping for any PELL money, as it is the first to go. Also be sure to include any income she had, round up - it's always better to error heavy and reduce the amount you claim than go the other way. It will only make the authorized money larger. And once you are accepted for PELL and work study, they are able to adjust the amount, just make sure you get in the 'pool'. Hope that helps. Oh and don't pay to have the FAFSA filled out by a company - you are capable and it's NOT that intimidating, just read EACH question, in order and if you need help there are 'help' buttons on most of the questions. It's not difficult, just answer each question and you will be fine. The FASTWEB site has helpful information as does FAFSA.gov and FAQ pages too!
3. There is site designed for parents like you! My co-worker and I started it because her son just went to school in Colorado. It is just an information site.. You should start apply for scholarships now! Make sure she pays attention to her grades and keep them up. The better the grades the better the scholarships. If you start applying now then you will have many scholarships on your side besides getting a bunch of loans. God to Christian Scholarship Connection and get signed up with Fast Web. That is your number one scholarship source! Seriously. I am 28, I wished I would have known this years ago. My co-worker is in her 40's and her son started applying for scholarship while he was a junior and he got plenty but he could have started when he was freshman and got lots more! Scholarship is money you don't have to pay back. But the key is consistency. No matter what keep applying for everything she qualifies for. Keep her GPA up and she will have a successful start. But, check out the site. Totally legit, no spam, nothing to buy, just to help you. You don't have to be a christian, that is just the name she picked out. Good luck! - you should apply for grants and loans (FEDERAL) one year prior to school starting. So here senior year, you should apply for FEDERAL aid. Because you are going to use your most recent tax statement prior to school starting and you can't apply for school in 2010 from a 2007 or 2008 tax statement.