By Nick Gale

(CHICAGO) It’s that time of the year again when those getting ready to enter college, or are returning for another year, file their application for federal student aid.

According to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, a big mistake is waiting to file for student aid until after tax returns are filed. Since aid is granted on a first come, first served basis, the commission says you can estimate your taxes when filling out student aid forms.

The commission also says more families are available for monetary assistance then they might realize and encourages all families with college bound kids to apply.

Forms can be found online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

@ 2016 WLS News