Question

Brian is in eleventh grade and he has decided he wants to go to college. After talking it over with his parents, he has decided to apply for financial aid.

What is the first step Brian should take?


What form should Brian complete?


What else can Brian do to help pay for college?

Answer 1

Short answer
- First step: get organized and prepare to file the FAFSA (talk to your school counselor, create FSA IDs, and gather documents).
- Form to complete: the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Some colleges also want the College Board’s CSS Profile for institutional aid.
- Other ways to help pay: scholarships and grants, work‑study/part‑time jobs, state aid, institutional aid, 529 savings, AP/dual‑enrollment to reduce costs, employer/military tuition programs, and student loans as a last resort.

More detail and quick checklist
1. Prepare now (first step)
- Meet with your high‑school guidance counselor to review deadlines and available help in your area.
- Create an FSA ID for you (and one for a parent) at studentaid.gov — you’ll need these to sign the FAFSA electronically. You can create them before senior year.
- Gather documents you’ll need: Social Security numbers, parents’ and your tax returns or W‑2s (or be ready to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool), bank statements, and records of untaxed income.

2. Complete
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). File as soon as possible after it opens (usually Oct 1 of your senior year) because some aid is first‑come, first‑served.
- If applying to private colleges that use institutional aid, check whether they require the CSS Profile (College Board) or other school‑specific forms.
- Also check your state’s financial aid website—some states have additional forms or earlier deadlines.

3. Other ways to pay for college
- Scholarships (local, national, and college scholarships). Use scholarship search sites (e.g., College Board, Fastweb), apply early and often.
- Grants (federal and state) — free money based on need or merit.
- Work‑study programs or part‑time jobs — can help cover costs and build experience.
- Institutional aid/merit scholarships from colleges — keep grades/test scores up to qualify.
- Dual enrollment/AP/IB credits or starting at a community college can lower total tuition.
- 529 college savings plans or family contributions.
- Employer tuition assistance, military ROTC or service programs.
- Student loans (federal loans first) — use carefully and only as needed.
- Ask financial aid offices about payment plans, appeals, and special circumstances if your family’s situation changes.

If you want, tell me when you expect to apply (state, likely colleges) and I can list specific deadlines, documents to gather, and scholarship resources for your situation.