It is essential to be strategic when deciding which school you will apply to. Some universities and financial aid offices may have a higher budget for providing financial aid than others. So, more money may be available to students who apply to that institution, so you may have a better chance of receiving more assistance.
Be strategic when deciding which types of financial aid you will apply for; for example, you may decide that you will only apply for grants and not loans, or vice versa. Also, remember that you can apply for more than one type of financial aid.
You can complete a FAFSA for financial assistance from your state, the federal government, and school. And, of course, deciding how and when you will complete your FAFSA application plays a role. You may want to apply for aid earlier in the year when fewer students are applying for financial aid than in the fall.