Are you starting your FAFSA and feeling overwhelmed? Stuck on a FAFSA question? There is plenty of help to get you unstuck and get the job done.
Of course, we recommend you read our FAFSA: How-To Guide for High School Students first! You’ll learn everything you need to know to dive deeper.
After that, if you have more questions, take a deep breath and look over these five websites:
Federal Student Aid: 8 Steps to Completing the FAFSA Form
Not sure where to start? This government site breaks down the FAFSA application process into eight steps. It offers a quick overview of all the big steps you will need to take. If you need to delve further, each section links to more help. This webpage is the single best place to start for easy-to-read, up-to-date information.
FAFSA Overview Video Series
This YouTube series is produced by the U.S. Department of Education. It includes nine short videos that walk you through the application process at a comfortable pace and address tricky questions and scenarios that many students struggle with. This resource is great if you enjoy visuals. In total, the full series runs about 45 minutes, and you don’t have to watch it all in one sitting.
NerdWallet: Find Free Money for College
This guide has drop-down menus for the most commonly asked FAFSA questions. It is a direct and concise source of information that is most useful if you already know what you’re looking for or what you’re struggling with. Nerdwallet is a useful publication for all kinds of financial help.
Nitro College: A Step-By-Step Guide To Completing the 2023-2024 FAFSA Questions
This site offers a step-by-step guide to completing the FAFSA. It breaks down each question, showing how they appear in both paper and online format, and how to complete each one. It also offers insight into why the question is asked (knowing this helps you answer the question accurately).
Finaid.org: Types of Financial Aid
This resource breaks down the different types of financial aid that you may apply for as a student: loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study. It explains each type of aid and offers tips on how to apply, including guidance for completing the FAFSA.
