In order to apply for loans, grants, some scholarships and to compute eligibility for work study, you and your family will need to complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This form is explained clearly on page five of "paying for College". This form is extremely important and timing in this is critical. You must have income taxes completed to fill out your FAFSA, so do this early to avoid a crunch at FAFSA time. Equally important is to send in your FAFSA and financial aid forms to schools early. Once the federal student aid money has been allocated, it is gone. You want to be sure to receive your share of the pie. Page seven of the brochure has a timing diagram of the admissions and financial aid process, as well as FAFSA application Tips. Read this information then share it with your parents or whoever will be helping you with the monetary aspect of college planning.

Further information not discussed in the booklet is that work study is an open-ended option. This can be very beneficial. Many schools will allow you to set up your own work study position with a private organization or department of interest in which part of your pay still comes from the financial aid office. This makes you very appealing to possible employers because the hourly rate they pay you is, in a way, subsidized. If you get a job in an area of interest or intended major, you can not only make money but gain experience and resume material.

These may all be necessary for affording your education, but don't forget that these methods require a pay back of time or money. Keep working on scholarships as they are the only means of "money for nothing".

Read this packet. Make a commitment to finding and receiving money.

$ Junior year ~ Begin scholarship search. You know how to do it now that you've read the packet.

$ Summer before senior year ~ Narrow down scholarships for which you will apply. Remember to ask yourself the three key questions and consider the value you have placed on each.

$ September senior year through ? (depends on deadlines) ~ Fill out scholarship applications and write essays. Take your time and remember to look for similarities. Avoid filling them out the night before they are due; plan ahead.

$ November - January ~ Talk to your parents about filling out income taxes early (remember: you need this form for your FAFSA and the FAFSA should be sent in as early as possible for maximum benefit).

$ Aim for January senior year ~ Complete and mail your FAFSA. The earliest you can turn in your FAFSA is January 1st.

$ Senior year ~ Send in applications by the due date (this means the application must be in the reviewers hands by the deadline, not that you put the application in the mail on the specified date).

$ Mid to late senior year ~ Wait, think, and decide. FAFSA assessment will return as will results from scholarship awards and college admittance announcements. Now you have to pick a school and devise a plan on covering the remaining tab for college. Apply for loans, etc., if necessary.

Think about schools and area of interest or intended major during the whole process. This may help you find scholarships and other opportunities.

• If your FAFSA will not be completed by the due date of a scholarship which requires this information, contact the sponsoring organization and explain the situation. You may be able to send in the application on time and the FAFSA later or complete an alternate need proving form.

• Summer before college ~ Enjoy not having homework and find a summer job; it is yet another way to help pay for an education.