Jan. 7, 2011
For Immediate Release

Campbellsville University recommends filing for financial aid by Feb. 15

By Christina Miller, office assistant, and Tawny Vilchis, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Are you or your son or daughter planning to attend college in fall 2011? Need money? It's time to get a jump on the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Campbellsville University's Office of Financial Aid performs critical functions to assist in financing postsecondary students. The FAFSA is the first step a student can take to obtain the financial plan they need to fund their higher education, according to Aaron Gabehart, assistant director of financial aid at Campbellsville University.

Gabehart said, “Our message is that students should file their 2011-2012 FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov by Feb. 15, 2011 by estimating using previous years taxes, W-2's or using your 2010 tax information.”

It's important to file the FAFSA early in order “to be eligible for maximum aid. The FAFSA should be filed by this date (Feb. 15, 2011) because government funds do run out.”

Gabehart said, “For our students, it can mean tens of thousands of dollars by the time they graduate.”

The college-bound student will answer questions based on family income and assets. This information then calculates the annual amount of money the government expects the parents and student to be able to pay toward the college education.

The application is reviewed to determine if the student qualifies for need-based aid. If the total expense exceeds the amount the family is able to pay then the student will be able to be rewarded need-based loans and/or grants to assist in paying the college bills.

“Each year, we have students who do not file by the priority date who lose out on money. These students generally have to end up borrowing this money on a loan in order to remain in school. If they would have filed by February 15, they may have qualified for free grant money instead of having to borrow it on a loan,” Gabehart said.

To take out a federal loan of any type including the unsubsidized Stafford Loan, a FAFSA must be filed.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu