Need help completing your FAFSA? Not sure where to start?
There are lots of people and organizations available to help. Here are our tips for getting the assistance you need, whether it’s in person or online.
Who Do I Talk To?
Start with trusted adults in your school inclusing a counselor or teacher who understands your college ambitions. Then reach out to folks in your community. And make sure you talk to your local librarian.
School and Community Counselors: Schedule a time to speak with your school’s college counselor or a staffer who works in your school’s college office. If your school doesn’t have a dedicated college counselor then speak to the counselor who is in charge of your grade. College counselors are your best bet for help, but all counselors should be able to offer advice.
Then find organizations that may have college access programs. This may be a local community center or a nonprofit that works with teens and young adults. If you have a favorite community organization, ask the staff if college help is available. If not, see if they know of local programs that might be available. You can do this research together.
Don’t be shy about asking for help. Counseling professionals are happy to assist. But it’s important to be prepared. Make a list of things that you’re struggling to complete or don’t fully understand. For instance, here’s a recent list from one of the students on our own team who got help from a community counselor. In this case, she needed help talking to her parents about the FAFSA.
- How do to get help paying for college? Who do I need to talk to?
- My parents are reluctant to help me with the FAFSA. Can you help?
- Can you write down some reasons they should to help me so I can share it with them?
- I know the FAFSA is for federal aid, but how do I apply for state aid and scholarships?
If your counselor is short on time, ask them if they know of any local events or organizations that can offer more help. Often there are other places to get assistance.
Teen and School Librarians: Many local libraries have staff who are trained to work with teens and help with college applications. Also, the librarian at your high school is a teen librarian! Talk to as many librarians as you can.
Be sure to ask about FAFSA completion events. Librarians are often aware of school and community events – or they help you search them up. See if there are FAFSA events offered at your local branch or nearby libraries.
Where Can I Find FAFSA Help Online?
Our Website! We offer one of the best guides available, designed to help you understand the FAFSA and the financial aid process. Read our guide first then explore our many how-to articles covering everything you need to know to get the most money possible to pay for college.
Your High School’s Website: Many high school websites have a section for college and post-secondary planning information. Also, sign up for your counselor’s email and text notifications. Check to see if your school is offering any events. Ask around. Click around.
Your State University and Community Colleges: Many state universities will offer FAFSA workshops for students and families in the community. They may also have links to recorded webinars on financial aid and related topics.
Nonprofit Organizations: There are lots of local and national organizations that offer help online. Some in your area may also offer in-person events and individual help, so make sure to read through their websites carefully. Two national ones we like are:
- uAspire: One of our favorite organizations! uAspire offers stellar financial aid materials and financial aid workshops including a FAFSA Walkthrough in both English and Spanish, along with a similar one for the CSS Profile if you need that form for college. Also check and see if the organization’s counselors may be available in your area.
- Fair Opportunity Project: They offer one-on-one FAFSA help answering your questions about the FAFSA, college applications, and scholarships.
Federal Student Aid: The folks who brought you the FAFSA are ready to help you with an ever-increasing collection of instructions and tools. We’ve listed all the best stuff to date for families and counselors at the bottom of this article.
Where Can I Find FAFSA Events?
Your Local Library: Your local library may have events or even a group of volunteers who offer one-on-one financial aid help to students. Even if your local branch doesn’t offer any of these services, make sure to speak with the librarian, who may know of helpful events and resources available at nearby branches.
Your State or Local Government: Check if your state has a Higher Education Assistance Authority. Or go to your state’s Department of Education website and look for an events calendar. Use our state funding map to find links and resources. Also check with the offices of your local government or state and federal representatives.which may offer informational community events on college financial aid.
Google it! Don’t start with a general search as all the resources we’ve listed so far are likely to point you in the right direction. But, if you’ve tried everything else and nothing came up, then try searching online for “FAFSA events near me” or “FAFSA Events in [insert your neighborhood, town, city or zip code]” or “FAFSA help.”
What Help is Available from Federal Student Aid?
Federal Student Aid is offering lots of help for students and families in completing the FAFSA this year. Be sure to check out the links below.
Instructions for Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account: This new page explains what families and partners need to know about creating a StudentAid.gov account, which is how you get your FSA ID.
Pro Tips for Completing the FAFSA Form: Updated advice for filling out and submitting the FAFSA form.
Federal Student Aid Estimator: Quickly get an estimate of your Student Aid Index, or SAI, and learn how much federal you may be eligible to receive.
Who’s My Parent on the FAFSA: This tool is designed to help students and families determine which family members will need to contribute their information to the student’s FAFSA.
Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel: Offering FAFSA videos on a variety of topics. Learn why the FAFSA is important, how it works, who needs to help the student complete the FAFSA, and what to expect after it has been submitted.
2027-28 FAFSA Help for Counselors
Federal Student Aid is providing help to counselors, college access professionals, and other advisors. See below for a number of useful tools, including a new counselor how-to guide and a huge PowerPoint deck.
FSA’s Support Overview: This Federal Student Aid page offers a quick overview of the most useful links along with social media pages that you and your families will want to follow.
Download FSA’s FAFSA Preview Presentation: This lengthy PowerPoint deck provides lots of information and screenshots for financial aid administrators, advisors, and counselors with reference tools for training staff and hosting financial aid nights. (Available in PPT and PDF)
Walk Through the 2027-28 FAFSA Prototype: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) prototype is a partial preview of the online 2027–28 FAFSA form. Counselors and mentors can familiarize themselves with the form by navigating through common applicant scenarios.
More help for counselors, college access professionals, and others is available using Federal Student Aid’s Financial Aid Toolkit.
Gil Hatcher is currently working on their master’s degree in media studies at the New School, building upon their sociological work from undergrad at Rutgers University. A proud NJ STARS alumni, Gil hopes to help other students find all of the financial aid their states have to offer.