Financial aid can be the difference between a student drowning in debt or fiscally staying above water.

Picking out classes, working out schedules, purchasing books and figuring out how you're going to get to school can be daunting tasks, but one thing that can be simple is the financial aid process.

"I've been using financial aid since I first came [to Palo Alto] in the Fall of 2008," said Analee Mattice, a sophomore Biology major. "I thought it was pretty easy."

Mattice went online and discovered that filling out the required financial aid documentation was not as nerve-racking as it had originally sounded.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the document that determines eligibility for federal student financial aid that includes access to Pell grants, Stafford loans, PLUS loans and work-study programs.

Many students like Mattice have found the most convenient way to filling out a FAFSA is by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov, which gives three specific step-by-step instructions: Before Beginning a FAFSA; Filling out a FAFSA; and FAFSA Follow-Up.

Step one: "Before Beginning a FAFSA" assists students in gathering the required documents they will need. It helps determine dependency status, gives a Web worksheet, searches for school codes, helps students and parents apply for a personal identification number and lists application deadline dates.

Step two: "Filling out a FAFSA" contains questions that will assist in filling out the FAFSA itself, such as financial information, school plans and more.

Step three: "FAFSA Follow-Up" allows a student to view results online. You can see the status of your application, make necessary corrections to a processed FAFSA, and print out your Student Aid Report (SAR).

"It's not like you really need assistance to walk through it," said David Neal, a sophomore Business major who just recently signed up online for financial aid for the very first time. "It's very simple, very straight forward."

Neal described how fast and efficient the online process was, as well. He received status notification within a matter of days.

Students who may have more questions or concerns about the process may also visit the Financial Aid Department located on campus in the Palomino Center. The trained staff is ready to assist you.

Eva Gomez, a freshman Nursing major who is attending Palo Alto College for the very first time this semester, described how wonderful and prompt the staff was throughout the process. Since English is not her first language, she wanted one-on-one guidance through the paperwork.

Whether you go online or to the Financial Aid Department on campus, you should be prepared to have the required documents with you: your Social Security Number, driver's license or state identification, income tax returns, bank statements and investment records.

"You should really have those things ready," said Mattice. "It would make things go a lot faster." For any questions, please contact the Financial Aid Department at (210) 486-3600 or drop by the Palomino Center, Room 108.