Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month! This is a perfect time to learn all about access to federal, state and institutional student aid and the financial aid process.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID?

Free Money

Federal and State Grants

Scholarships

Borrowed Money

Earned Money

HOW DO I APPLY?

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA online at StudentAid.gov
  • Create a FSA ID to access, sign and submit your FAFSA application
  • Use the FSA ID Worksheet to help you keep things organized
  • Apply on or after October 1 annually
  • Be aware of college, state and federal deadlines
  • Apply every year you need financial aid for college

HOW WILL I KNOW HOW MUCH FINANCIAL AID I’VE BEEN OFFERED?

  • After your FAFSA has been submitted and you’ve been admitted, your college will send you an aid offer
  • Review and research all programs offered, and accept only the aid you need
  • You don’t have to accept everything you’ve been offered

To learn more about the financial aid process, review the following Resources at startwithfafsa.org:

  • FAFSA Facts and Five Steps
  • UCanGo2’s Dependency Questionnaire
  • UCanGo2’s FAFSA Fundamentals 2022-2023 PowerPoint
  • FAFSA Learning Modules
  • FAFSA Parent Flyer

You will also find these helpful FAFSA Videos:

  • FAFSA and Financial Aid
  • Scholarships 101
  • Completing the FAFSA via Mobile App
  • The FAFSA in 5 (English & Spanish)

UCanGo2.org also offers these additional FAFSA resources:

  • The EFC (Expected Family Contribution) PowerPoint
  • The FSA ID (Federal Student Aid Identification) PowerPoint
  • The Financial Aid Award Letter PowerPoint

Learn more about Financial Aid Awareness Month here!