Our most basic eligibility requirements are that you must . Demonstrate financial need (see page 8); . Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen* with a valid Social Security number; and . Show by one of the following means that youre qualified to obtain a postsecondary education (education after high school): Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate.* Pass an approved ability-to-benefit (ATB) test (if you dont have a diploma or GED,a school can administer a test to determine whether you can benefit from the education offered at that school). Meet other standards your state establishes that we have approved. Complete a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law. See the complete list of eligibility requirements on page 7.

Its financial help if youre enrolled in an eligible program* as a regular student* at a school participat- ing in our federal student aid programs. (By school, we mean a four-year or two-year public or private college, university, career school, or trade school.) Federal aid covers school expenses, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid can also help pay for a computer and for dependent care. There are three categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study, and loans (see the chart on the following page for an overview of these programs). Check with your school to find out which programs your school participates in.

1.Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)the online version (FAFSA on the Web) or the paper FAFSA.For more information on apply- ing . For FAFSA on the Web, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov (or to www.studentaid.ed.gov and get general student aid information as well). Using FAFSA on the Web is faster and easier than using paper. If you don't have Internet access, you can get a paper FAFSA from - a high school guidance office, - a college financial aid office, - a local public library, or - our Federal Student Aid Information Center, by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

Submit the 2005-2006 FAFSA-either through the Internet (using FAFSA on the Web) or by completing a paper FAFSA. 1. FAFSA on the Web.Access the online FAFSA by going to . www.fafsa.ed.gov or . www.studentaid.ed.gov. At this site, click on the FAFSA logo in the left column. We recommend using FAFSA on the Web if possible because . FAFSA on the Web identifies potential errors right away and prompts you to make on-the-spot corrections. . You get online instructions for each question, and you can "chat"live online with a customer service representative if you have further questions. There's no charge for this help. . The Department's Central Processing System will process your application quickly-in three to five days, provided you (and your parents, if applicable) have provided electronic signatures 2. The paper FAFSA. If you don't have Internet access, you can get a paper FAFSA from your high school, local library, postsecondary school, or from the Federal Student Aid Information Center at the address or phone number given on the inside front cover of this publication. . Mail the FAFSA in the pre-addressed envelope that's in your FAFSA packet. Or, before mailing it, check to see if your school, or a school that interests you, will submit your FAFSA information electronically. . To receive confirmation that the application processing center received your FAFSA, send in along with your FAFSA the postcard that comes with the application.You'll get the postcard back, stamped with the receipt date. . Your FAFSA will be processed in two to four weeks.If you don't hear anything within four weeks of the date stamped on the postcard, you can check the status by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov.You can also check by contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center. NOTE: You must reapply for federal student aid every year.Also, if you change schools, your aid doesn't auto- matically transfer with you. Check with your new school to find out what you must do to continue receiving aid.

Apply between Jan. 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006-but apply as soon as you can after Jan. 1! Schools and states often use FAFSA information to award nonfederal aid. Their deadlines are usually early in the year.You can get state deadlines online at FAFSA on the Web-see "Check Deadlines"under "Before Beginning a FAFSA."The paper FAFSA lists state deadlines on the front of the form. Check with the schools you're interested in for their deadlines. You can't transmit your electronic FAFSA or sign, date, or mail your paper FAFSA before Jan. 1. If you do any of these, your application will be rejected.