Navigating the world of financial aid can be a daunting task for students and their families. With unfamiliar terminology, deadline pressure, and not knowing where to go for support, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are several free, reliable tools designed to help simplify the process. Whether students and families are new to the process of applying for federal financial aid and want to better understand the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or are nearing the end of the process and want to make an informed decision about comparing financial aid offers, there are resources to guide them every step of the way. Here, we highlight three of the best free FAFSA resources that can help make the financial aid journey more straightforward.
Understanding FAFSA
This web page contains a plethora of information about filling out the FAFSA, comparing college admissions offers, and so much more. Students and families can utilize this resource for basic information on how the FAFSA works and learn new terminology, along with the difference between grants and loans. Understanding FAFSA also has detailed guides for students who are experiencing homelessness, undocumented, or from mixed-status families about how to fill out the FAFSA and receive other forms of financial aid. Additionally, this web page posts up-to-date information about the latest news to help distinguish fact from fiction which is especially important given the ever-changing political landscape and attacks on higher education we have seen as of late. The best part about Understanding FAFSA, you ask? All the information on this page can be translated into nine languages, ranging from Spanish to Urdu.
Get Schooled
Get Schooled recognizes that receiving money to help pay for college is one of many steps that can help students succeed during and after college. Get Schooled provides resources for students to get them to college, succeed in college, and secure a job after graduating from college. These materials are both in written and video format. They also encourage students to sign up for texts and emails where they can receive personalized feedback on college application essays, get help on all things financial aid and FAFSA, and even text an advisor for guidance. Get Schooled can be a useful tool for advisors to share with students to increase capacity for in-school support.
uAspire
uAspire strives to improve the economic mobility of underrepresented students by creating financial solutions to diverse postsecondary pathways. Their free virtual financial aid events walk students and families through the financial aid process and applications, provide guidance, and answer questions. Topics include a FAFSA Walkthrough, Financial Aid Offer Review, Scholarships Basics and Tips, and Affording College 101. These events are held multiple times throughout the year. uAspire also offers a financial aid checklist available in various languages to help students secure financial aid and make informed decisions about how to pay for college and where to go. Lastly, the College Cost Calculator can be a useful tool for students to compare financial aid offers, determine the estimated cost of attending certain college, and make an informed decision about where to enroll.
There is a plethora of financial aid resources available for students and families, and the hardest part can oftentimes be finding the right ones! From detailed guides and real-time assistance to personalized resources for specific needs, Understanding FAFSA, Get Schooled, and uAspire offer essential support in helping students secure financial aid and navigate the path to higher education. The National College Attainment Network’s (NCAN) “Essential Websites for Students and College Attainment Professionals” page also contains an expansive list of college access and success websites and tools that have been vetted and recommended by NCAN’s Advisory Task Force. We hope these resources empower students and families with knowledge to make the financial aid process more manageable and confidence about making the best decisions for themselves.
Navigating the world of financial aid can be a daunting task for students and their families. With unfamiliar terminology, deadline pressure, and not knowing where to go for support, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are several free, reliable tools designed to help simplify the process.