• Scholarship prizes or awards that ask for taxes or fees to release them.
• Scholarship search services that guarantee a scholarship with an upfront payment.
• Watch out for sales pitches for financial aid, scholarship, loans, seminars and consulting services where you have to buy something to get something. IN OTHER WORDS IF YOU HAVE TO PAY MONEY - IT IS USUALLY A SCAM!

Q: I probably don't qualify for aid. Won't it be a waste of time to apply?
A: By all means apply. There are aid sources such as unsubsidized Stafford and PLUS loans available that are not based on need. It does not cost anything to fill out the FAFSA form. What do you have to lose? Your family's situation may change in any number of ways from year to year including another family child entering college, so make sure to apply each year.

Q: Do I have to reapply every year for financial aid?
A: That is correct. Most financial aid offices require that you apply for financial aid every year because your financial circumstances may change and will affect the amount of aid that you recieve. After completion of your first year, they will send you a renewal application which contains contains everything you need. Please note that renewal of aid is also based on satisfactory academic sucess from the previous academic year (usually a minimum number of credits and a minimum GPA).

Q: How soon can I start applying for financial aid? Don't I have to be admitted and enrolled in a university first?
A: You may start applying for aid any time after January 1st before you are admitted, but not before. Your elibility is based on the most recent tax year (January 1 - December 31 of the previous year) for need-based financial aid awarded for the upcoming academic year. The receipt of funds are only granted after you are admitted and enrolled at a university.

Q: I have applied and qualified for financial aid, but I have also applied and gotten another scholarship. Do I need to report it to the financial aid office?
A: If you are receiving any kind of government or university financial aid, you must report the scholarship to the financial aid office. Usually your aid package will be adjusted to compensate.

Q: I want to talk to a real live person about Federal student financial aid to get some specific answers to questions I have - who do I call?
A: Call the FSAIC, Federal Student Aid Information Center. Their telephone numbers are 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-800-730-8913 (hearing impaired). They can answer questions about federal and state student aid programs. Here is their address as well: Federal Student Aid Information Center, PO Box 84, Washington, DC 20044.

Q: My parents are divorced. Which parent fills out the FAFSA forms?
A: You want to determine your custodial parent. That is the parent with whom you lived the majority of the time during the past 12 months. This does necessarily have to be the same as the parent who has legal custody. If you lived with each parent an equal amount of time, the parent who provided you with the most financial support during the past twelve months is the parent who should fill out the FAFSA. This is most likely the parent who claimed you as a dependent on tax returns. If you have not received any support from either parent during the past 12 months, use the most recent calendar year for which you received some support from a parent. These lines are sometimes blurred and confusing. If you have more specific questions, please contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center listed above.

Q: If the parent I'm living with has remarried is my parent and step-parent's income and assets reported on the FAFSA form?
A: Yes, if that the parent you're living with is the one filling out the FAFSA and is your custodial parent. The federal government considers the step-parent a source of support regardless of any agreements made prior to their marriage.