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Smart Savers Blog

Maximize Your Chance at Aid with the FAFSA

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The new year is here, and families may now begin submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2016 fall enrollment.

Something important to keep in mind: The earlier you submit the FAFSA, the better your college student’s chances at financial aid.

If you haven’t completed your 2015 taxes or you’re waiting on documents like W-2 forms, then you may submit the FAFSA using estimates of your income. You can update the estimated data later.

Some state and local grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis – so the earlier you complete your FAFSA, the higher the probability of being considered for this aid.

For the fastest possible experience, complete the FAFSA online. Submission is immediate, while mailed-in forms can take several weeks to arrive and process. Therefore, online completion minimizes the lag time between receipt and processing of your FAFSA.

FAFSA online


Resources to help you learn

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about 529 plans.

Smart Savers Academy

Tune in to a live episode and ask questions of the presenter, or watch a previously recorded webinar below.

Invest529 Portfolio Performance

Review and compare historical returns of Invest529 portfolios.