Your ticket to cash in college is the FAFSA, and meeting deadlines.

It hardly seems time to be thinking about next school year (2015-16) when the spring semester just got rolling and you’re still recovering from the malaise of being back to the college student “grind.”

But, now IS the time to prepare your finances and financial aid for next year, so get moving. Do the work and you might get some “free money” and find cash in your pocket next year. Here’s what you need to think about … and do.

Scholarships

Your first “free money” stop for next year is for students to fill out and submit the WSU General Scholarship Application by Jan. 31.

This scholarship application is important because filling it out puts you in the running for a variety of more than 700 different WSU scholarships.

All types of students receive these scholarships – not just students with good grades. It’s true.

Remember, if you are given a scholarship, you don’t have to pay it back. The money can pay for university charges or help cover living costs. Free cash – it’s beautiful.

For more information about filling out the online WSU General Scholarship application by Jan. 31, go to www.finaid.wsu.edu/scholarships. It’s free to apply and easy to do.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Your second “free money” stop is to complete and submit the 2015-16 FAFSA by Feb. 15. The FAFSA is a student’s best friend, so fill it out by the deadline if you didn’t already do this during winter break.

Talk to your parents right away because their information is usually needed and required. There is a new FAFSA every year, meaning students have to refile the FAFSA each academic year that they need aid.

The FAFSA is how the federal government and WSU determine what a student receives for financial aid (grants, work study, loans, etc.).

FREE money like grants is tied to this deadline – you have to meet it to get them.

You can file the FAFSA with estimated tax figures and numbers – your taxes do NOT need to be completed before you submit it.

If you are a Dreamer student, the submission deadline for the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is also Feb.15.

Keep in mind if you are a student who is financially dependent and does not live with your parents, you still need to provide your parents’ information on the FAFSA. There are 10 different situations or reasons you could be considered “independent” or not having to provide parent information (such as married, 24 or older by Dec. 31, 2015, etc.). Contact WSU’s Student Financial Services (SFS) if you want more information about this.

Upcoming College Goal Washington at WSU

If you need help completing the FAFSA or WASFA, we’ve got it for you. Our SFS staff will be available over the next week to help you fill out an application, answer questions, and give personal on-the-spot guidance. Prospective students and families, as well as current students, can come by 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Lighty 260 on Jan. 25. Current WSU students can come to Lighty 380 on Jan. 28 from 8 a.m. to noon and  Jan. 29 from 1-5 p.m.

Plus, you can always contact us any time of the year for assistance at 509-335-9711 or make an in-person adviser appointment by scheduling it through the SFS website at www.finaid.wsu.edu under “FinAid Scheduler.”

SFS Student Town Hall Jan. 30

How can the WSU Student Financial Services office better help you during the year? Give us your ideas and get answers to any burning financial aid questions at this open forum. Free food and a chance to win a Bookie certificate are some perks if you attend. The SFS Town Hall will take place Jan. 30, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in CUE 518.

The SFS office will bring you helpful financial aid tips and timely information bimonthly for the remainder of the spring semester. Look for our next column, which will be about budgeting, especially about how to make those financial aid dollars last the entire semester.

You can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/WSUStudentFinancialServices) and Twitter (@WSUFinancialAid) for the latest updates and announcements you need to know.