Confused about the FAFSA? Sallie Mae to host online chat on college financial aid

You've been accepted to college. Now comes the confusing part: applying for financial aid.

Sallie Mae, a corporation that helps parents and students save, plan and pay for college, is hosting an online question and answer chat about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, on Thursday, Feb 11 on their Web site.

The FAFSA is a form that can be filled out annually by current and anticipating college student to determine their eligibility for federal student aid, including Pell grant, Stafford loans, PLUS loans and work-study programs. Some schools also use it to award non-federal aid. The Department of Education begins accepting applications Jan. 1 each year.

Sallie Mae will make FAFSA experts available on their Web site from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday to answer any questions about the FAFSA application process. Parents and students can also post questions in advance.

FAFSA how-to videos and tip sheets are also available on the Web site. In addition, students can sign up to win $10,000 in money for college.