You learn too late that FAFSA® would have helped you fill out your application, if you had only asked.

You learn that because you didn’t apply for financial aid through FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) , you and your family are going to have to pay a lot more for your student loans. And that could affect which colleges you can afford to go to.

In talking with friends, you find out that other students in “non-traditional” family situations were able to get financial aid through FAFSA. All it probably would have taken was a phone call to the people at fafsa.gov. They have years of experience in helping students through the process.