When applying for FAFSA does your financial aid start in Fall?
Raspberry asked:
I have a friend who needs financial aid for this spring semester, and I am afraid that financial aid through FAFSA doesn’t start until fall semester. I assume she can get financial aid for summer through the school, but what should she do for spring quarter after this winter quarter?
Financial
she may be able to get a loan and later FAFSA can repay it if she qualifies. She needs to talk to a financial aid counselor to verify.
edit: when you are eligible for spring classes you are also eligible for summer classes from FAFSA
answer mine
Financial
You can get FAFSA for only the spring and fall semester (no summer sessions) and unfortunately they make those allotments before the start of the academic year, which starts in the fall semester. If she applies now, she’ll be applying for the fall and the earlier the better since they have a limited number of resources to loan. (Not everyone’s needs are meet based on need, timing has a lot to do with it.)
Her best bet is probably a private loan since, even in this economy, they are good bets financially, unlike variable rate mortgages. Tell her to move quickly since, again, timing is a factor. The earlier the better.
Financial
She can get it to start in the spring 09. She needs to go online at and select the 2008-2009 fafsa. If she is starting school next week and is just now applying, her aid won’t be processed by the time school starts, but she can still get it. They can can still process it after the semester starts. If the school wants money before, maybe she can borrow it from someone. Some schools will let you attend classes with an outstanding balance as long as you have fin aid pending.