You should be busy assembling all the data needed to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Then you will be ready to submit the application on Jan. 1, which is the first day for submission. Go online right now to the FAFSA4caster Web site (www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov). It will help you get an early start on the financial aid process by:

• -Providing you with an early estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid.
• -Giving you an experience similar to FAFSA on the Web.
• -Allowing you to transfer all of your FAFSA4caster data to FAFSA on the Web once you are ready to apply for aid.
• -Providing you with the option to apply for your Federal Student Aid PIN.
• -Increasing your knowledge of the financial aid process, and providing information about other sources of aid.

Even if you think you won't qualify for federal aid, complete the FAFSA, as states and schools use this information to determine if you qualify for additional aid. You can get the form online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. You can complete and submit the form online, which is fastest, or request a paper application.

Besides working on the FAFSA form, you should be finding out all the aid deadlines for your state and the schools where you have submitted applications. If you miss a deadline, you miss out on aid. To become savvier about financial aid, you should attend a state or college workshop on financial aid.