Ed Blitz FACTOID The First Bank of the United States was needed because the government had a debt from the Revolutionary War, and each state had a different form of currency. The bank was built while Philadelphia was still the nation's capital.

It's FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) time! If you are applying for financial aid to attend college, here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions:

Why Complete a FAFSA?

The Department of Education uses the information provided on your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for aid from the federal student financial assistance programs described below. Many states and schools also use the FAFSA data to award aid from their programs. Some states and schools may require you to fill out additional forms.

Submitting a FAFSA is free. There are no fees to process the FAFSA, whether you file electronically or on paper.

Whom can I call for help with answering FAFSA questions?

You can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 433-3243 with questions about the electronic or paper application process or about federal student financial aid in general.

What should I (the student) do if my family has special circumstances that aren't mentioned in the application?

Talk to your financial aid administrator (FAA). If your family's circumstances have changed from the base year (2002) due to loss of employment, loss of benefits, death, or divorce, the FAA may decide to adjust data used to calculate your eligibility for student aid.

I'm not sure if I want to take out a student loan. What should I enter for the question asking if I am interested in student loans?

Some schools use this information to put together a financial-aid package for you. Answering "yes" does not obligate you to take out a loan. It usually just means that the school will offer you a loan or loans as part of your aid package. You can change your mind and not accept the loans later.

If I live with an aunt, uncle, or grandparent, should that relative's income be reported instead of parental information?

Only if the relative is your adoptive parent. Dependent students can be considered dependent only on their parent(s) and may report only parental information on the FAFSA. You must report (in Worksheet B) any cash support given by relatives, but not in-kind support (such as food and housing) from relatives.

What if I live with a girlfriend or boyfriend who pays the rent?

You should not report any information for a friend or roommate unless the two of you are actually married or are considered to have a common-law marriage under state law. You must report any cash support given by the friend as untaxed income but should not report in-kind support (such as food). You would have to report as income the rent the roommate paid if your name were on the lease and if the roommate were paying the rent on your behalf.

I'm going to get married this summer. How do I answer the question that asks if I am married?

Answer "yes" if you are married on the day you sign the FAFSA. Otherwise, answer "no." The FAFSA is a snapshot of your status the day it is signed; it does not forecast changes such as marriage.

I'll be filing a tax return this year, but I probably won't get around to it until April. How should I answer the financial questions? Should I wait to fill out this form until after I've filed my tax return?

Ideally, you should complete a FAFSA after you've done your tax return, but don't wait until April. Many colleges award aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, you may not be eligible for state aid if you wait until April to submit your FAFSA. If you haven't submitted your tax return, you should calculate your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and taxes paid using the instructions for IRS Form 1040, which you can find at: www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html

If my parents are divorced, whose information do I need?

The parent with whom you lived the most during the 12 months preceding the date you completed the FAFSA. It does not make a difference which parent claims you as a dependent for tax purposes. If you did not live with either parent or lived equally with each parent, the parental information must be provided for the parent from whom you received the most financial support or the parent from whom you received the most support the last time support was given.

I am entering financial information for my mother and stepfather on the FAFSA. Should I give my father's Social Security Number (SSN) and last name, or my stepfather's?

You should provide the SSN and last name of the same person or people for whom you are reporting financial information. In this case, provide the SSNs and names of your mother and stepfather.

What should you do if the parent with whom you live is remarried and the stepparent refuses to supply information?

If you are a dependent student and your parent is remarried, the stepparent's information must be included or you will not be considered for federal student financial aid.

We will have more on student financial aid in our next column.