Deadlines

The time you spend in your educational program might be the most deadline-heavy time of your life. From study groups to exams, your responsibilities can be complicated. In additional to your studies, deadlines for financial aid should be a top priority in your already busy schedule.

As with a car or home loan, failing to make payments on your educational loan can affect your credit, making it harder to make large purchases in the future. You may not always receive a reminder from the financial aid office or your lender, so it's your responsibility to know application and payment deadlines. Contact your financial aid office for more information about important financial aid deadlines.

Supersize Your Calendar
Your obligations to work and family can make balancing financial aid deadlines even more complicated. Simplify your life by keeping a large desktop calendar in a place where you'll see it every morning--the kitchen wall or next to the front door. You'll be more likely to stay organized and less likely to miss important dates.

Ask Questions
Your school has a financial aid office that's just a phone call or email away. Your school's financial aid department is staffed with experts on your personalized financial aid package, and they can answer questions and help you stay on top of deadlines. Keep them on your contact list.

Essential Deadlines
Get ready for these important financial aid deadlines:

• FAFSA on the Web: begin filing in January
• Income Tax Return: (important to your school's financial aid office and the FAFSA) Mid-April
• School/Institutional Aid: Varies - check with your financial aid office
• State Financial Aid: Varies - check with your financial aid office

Get organized, and you'll have an easier time staying on top of your financial aid deadlines. Once you integrate your school responsibilities into your busy life, you'll lose that feeling of missing out on something important.