Who told you first..

(FROM USA TODAY)
For kids set for college, it's time to fill out FAFSA

Faced with epic budget deficits, states are
cutting costs any way they can, and state
grants for college students aren't escaping
the knife. Some states have reduced the
size of awards, some have tightened
eligibility requirements, and some have
said that they'll give out awards "until the
money runs out," says Mark Kantrowitz,
publisher of FinAid.org, a financial aid
website. And these days, he adds, "The
money tends to run out pretty quickly."

By Sandra Block

That means it's more important than ever for
families of college-bound seniors to file the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or
FAFSA, as soon as possible. This application i
s the foundation for almost all forms of
financial aid, from scholarships to student
loans.

Filing early will also ensure that you meet
deadlines imposed by individual states and
colleges. If you plan to apply to a state
school in Connecticut, for example, you
need to get your financial aid application in
by Feb. 15. Several other states impose a
March 1 deadline.