Published: January 24, 2008 04:42 pm      

Students need to file FAFSA early

Jan. 23, 2008 — Kentucky students who plan to attend an in-state college or university in the fall should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. Students who file early have a better chance of receiving a state need-based grant administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). The FAFSA is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Students attending Kentucky’s colleges and universities may qualify for College Access Program (CAP) Grants. To be eligible, a student must show financial need, be enrolled at least half-time and be working toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Credit hours taken online or by correspondence are not counted unless they are taken through the Kentucky Virtual Campus. The maximum CAP Grant award is currently $1,900 per year.

Students attending most of Kentucky’s private colleges and universities may qualify for a CAP Grant and for a Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG). KTG awards are based on the same criteria as CAP Grants. The maximum KTG award is currently $3,000 per year.

For more complete information about CAP and KTG, visit www.kheaa.com and click on Kentucky Resident Scholarship/Grant Information under Parents and Students or Adult Learners. You may also e-mail grants@kheaa.com.

To learn how to plan and prepare for higher education and to access the FAFSA, go to www.GoHigherKY.org. For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit www.kheaa.com; write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602-0798; or call (800) 928-8926, extension 6-7381. For information about low-cost student loans, visit www.studentloanpeople.com; write The Student Loan People, P.O. Box 24328, Louisville, KY 40224-0328; or call (888) 678-4625.