Steps for hosting a successful Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) event:
- Schedule a time (October-December) when parents & students can meet together for an FAFSA completion event (it might need to be held outside of school hours). Some communities might also choose to do a 2nd FAFSA event in January or February
- Contact financial aid representatives from any local community college, technical college, or university to help present information and answer questions for parents during the event.
- Kansas Financial Aid Resource Guide for list & maps of local institutions
- Prepare Students for the Event
- Provide a lesson about the FAFSA & types of financial aid
- 2024 What is FAFSA? (video link)
- Financial Aid/FAFSA resource document
- Take students through creating their FSA ID prior to the event
- Send the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet or FAFSA Completion Checklist home to complete prior to the event. (This will help families know what information is needed and what questions they have for FAFSA completion day)
- (2024 worksheets will be created once the new FAFSA is released in December 2023)
- Provide a lesson about the FAFSA & types of financial aid
- Promote the FAFSA completion day with students and parents.
- Hold your FAFSA event!
- Tips for Successful FAFSA Completion (editable for your school)
- After the FAFSA checklist to send home with students/families (Spanish version of After the FAFSA checklist)
New 2024 FAFSA Resources
The FAFSA is changing and is scheduled to open for students sometime in December 2023 for those attending college in the fall of 2024. Below are some links and resources specifically about the changes coming for this updated FAFSA.
- NCAN Better FAFSA Training Toolkit (many instructional tools and resources for counselors to use with students)
- SHEEO FAFSA Social Press Kit
KBOR FAFSA Changes Webinar Recording- November 8, 2023
FAFSA Changes & Updates (Click the link for YouTube Webinar Recording)
Presentation Slides & Presentation Resources
KBOR Counselor Resources & Webinar Series Webpage
Additional Resources:
- Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel (short, instructional videos designed to use with students & families)
- "How can the FAFSA help me pay for College or Career school?" - Brochure for families describing FAFSA, types of aid, timeline & benefits of completing the FAFSA.
- Federal Student Aid Resource Page (videos, brochures & tools to use with your students)
- FAFSA Completion Event Webinar Recording- January 21, 2021
- Types of Federal Student Aid 2021-2022 (Spanish version - Types of Federal Student Aid 2021-2022)
- KASFAA High School Counselor Training
- Student/Parent/Counselor Resources