Students and parents who are daunted by the college application process and troubled by the rising cost of higher education may receive relief from the government. This year, the Obama administration created a shorter, simpler form for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to make a college education at campus-based and online colleges more accessible to low- to middle-income students. For those seeking to earn an online degree, grant awards are very beneficial.

Financial aid applicants are able to retrieve their tax information online in order to complete the form as soon as possible. The new application also features skip-logic navigation, which is intended to decrease the amount of time it takes to complete the FAFSA.

This convenience is beneficial to students who act early, as most government funding is disbursed on a first come, first serve basis. Eager students can also receive instant estimates of their potential Pell Grant awards and student loan eligibility. Also for students looking at an online college, grant information such as this can be useful in the decision making process.

Because these improvements are intended to increase enrollment in classroom-based and online degree programs, federally funded college grant programs are designed to be more accessible than ever. This new process makes getting a grant for online school easier than ever!