This post is all about FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid). We will discuss why it is important EVERY SENIOR completes it, resources for completing it, and more.
Why EVERY SENIOR Should Complete the FAFSA
There are numerous reasons why every senior, regardless of socioeconomic status, should complete the FAFSA. Each year millions of dollars in just the state of Florida go unclaimed. This is free money for college that does not have to be paid back. Some colleges cannot award Bright Futures money until the FAFSA is completed. Some colleges also place a hold on students’ accounts and will not allow them to register for classes until the FAFSA is completed. FAFSA money can be used at trade or vocational schools. Every student needs to complete the FAFSA. 1-2 hours of their time can yield thousands of dollars. View the infographic below for more reasons.
Resources
2021-2022 FAFSA on the Web Preview Presentation
This presentation, produced by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid,
provides a step-by-step preview of this year’s FAFSA.
https://ifap.ed.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/2020-
08/082720fafsadotgov202122PreviewPresentationAttach.pptx
FutureMakers Coalition FAFSA First Resources
FutureMakers Coalition, an LCAN in Southwest Florida, has created a variety of resources to address
common myths and frequently asked questions about the FAFSA.
http://www.futuremakerscoalition.com/fafsafirst/
Federal Student Aid Financial Aid Toolkit
The FSA Financial Aid Toolkit provides information and outreach tools for school counselors, college
access professionals, nonprofit mentors, and others. It includes videos, infographics, how-to guides,
event planning assistance, presentation templates, and a variety of other financial assistance
resources.
https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/resources/all.jsp
Khan Academy: Paying for College
This Khan Academy module consists of free video tutorials to help guide students and families
through the process of paying for college, including a step-by-step guide to filling out the FAFSA.
https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/college-admissions/paying-for-college
Top 10 Mistakes Students Make on FAFSA
This short article by NerdWallet highlights some of the most common FAFSA mistakes and is a useful
tool to share with students and families.
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans/top-10-fafsa-mistakes/
Sallie Mae: Paying for College
This website by Sallie Mae provides one-pagers, templates, video tutorials, and much more to students and
families figuring out how to pay for college.
https://www.payingforcollegeresource.com/
Unique Student Populations
Student Aid Tips for Unique Student Populations
These handouts prepare counselors and volunteers to provide assistance to students in unique
situations, including wards of the court, foster youth, single parents and more.
http://www.nasfaa.org/Unique_Student_Circumstances
U.S Department of Education Federal Student Aid Social Media
YouTube
This YouTube channel includes a number of simple and engaging videos that can be shared with
students and families. Be sure to view the most recent videos, as some information has changed.
https://www.youtube.com/user/FederalStudentAid
Twitter Page
The FAFSA Twitter page provides reminders of information and deadlines related to federal student
aid programs. The site hosts live Q&A sessions during “#AskFAFSA Office Hour” to give students and
parents the chance to ask financial aid questions.
https://twitter.com/fafsa
Blog
Federal Student Aid’s Homeroom blog publishes timely information and resources relevant to FAFSA
completion and federal student aid. Some examples of blog topics include: 5 Things to do After Filing
Your FAFSA, Top 5 FAFSA FAQs, 7 Common Myths about Financial Aid, and 7 Common FAFSA
Mistakes.
https://blog.ed.gov/topic/federal-student-aid/
Social Media Toolkit
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid has a strong social media presence.
This page includes some tips on sharing these resources with students and families, such as sample
tweets.
https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/outreach/social-media.jsp
Additional Resources:
FinAid
The FinAid website includes information and resources about all types of Financial Aid. Scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs are all covered.
https://finaid.org/
Money for College
This resource is created by the Florida Department of Education, and covers information about Florida-specific scholarships and grants.
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/pdf/nm4c_brochure.pdf
Closing
Thank you for visiting this post. I hope you found it informative and useful. Now, complete the FAFSA!
The Counseling Blog 