Desperate Fang Friends Fill out Their FAFSA

The recession has hit, and hard.

Regardless of any individual economic factors in the present, filling out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the 2009–2010 school year may help to cushion unforeseen personal change scrimping in the future. To receive lower interest federal aid for student loans, the government requires FAFSA submission by May 30, 2009 (next Saturday!).

The FAFSA is only available online, and is pretty simple to complete. Note that the FAFSA culls information from the last tax year, so the submission of taxes for the 2008 year is pretty much mandatory to complete the process.

Haven't done those pesky taxes yet? Most single person households that earned less than $56,000 in 2008 qualify for free fax filing through select affiliates. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue offers a free, relatively painless WebFile option.

Many institutions of higher education now allow enrollment without a sustained waiting period before admission, and academic opportunities abound in the Boston metro area. So, take a tip from the Fang Friends and fill out that FAFSA.