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FAFSA is an acronym. It stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Please take note that the first word in the acronym is Free. You do not need to pay to fill out the FAFSA but there are certainly websites out there that will charge you for their assistance. If you are asked for a credit card at any point in the process, you are at one of these sites. If you do not want to pay to complete the FAFSA, be sure to apply at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The FAFSA must be completed by you and your family each year if you wish to be considered for need-based grants from the college or university you are or will be attending as well as subsidized student loans.

What is the FAFSA?

October 8, 2021 2:52 PM

by Scholarships.com Staff

FAFSA is an acronym. It stands for "Free Application for Federal Student Aid". Please take note that the first word in the acronym is "Free". You do not need to pay to fill out the FAFSA but there

The coronavirus made laptops a necessity for college students. Where before students without personal computers or laptops could use on-campus computers and provided software to meet the technological needs of their courses, the shift last spring to online classes necessitated that students have a stable internet connection and a compatible device. While the majority of students were able to meet this requirement, according to a study by EDUCASE, some students found themselves without a modern laptop that could run the most up-to-date browser, use RAM-heavy software or keep up even with reliable high-speed Wi-Fi. One university has announced a unique remedy for this technical situation.

University to Give New Students Free Laptops for Filing the FAFSA

April 6, 2021 11:29 AM

by Izzy Hall

The coronavirus made laptops a necessity for college students. Where before students without personal computers or laptops could use on-campus computers and provided software to meet the

The 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened today, October 1, for students who plan on attending college in 2021-2022 and receiving federal government, state, and school-based college financial aid, including grants and scholarships. Filing and submitting the FAFSA is one of the most crucial steps in the college application process and it is best you file as early as possible, as some types of federal financial aid are first-come, first-served. Especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now more important than ever to claim your share of $150 billion in federal student aid.

College Financial Aid Begins with the 2021-2022 FAFSA – Starting Today

October 1, 2020 2:42 PM

by Susan Dutca-Lovell

The 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened today, October 1, for students who plan on attending college in 2021-2022 and receiving federal government, state, and

Between the new, hidden COVID-related college fees and increased demands for tuition rebates, financial aid and leaves of student absences, college affordability is a top concern for parents and students in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Aside from changing schools, taking a gap year or delaying enrollment, families are largely dependent on college financial aid now more than ever.

Top 10 Colleges for Financial Aid in Wake of COVID-19

August 20, 2020 3:02 PM

by Susan Dutca-Lovell

Between the new, hidden COVID-related college fees and increased demands for tuition rebates, financial aid and leaves of student absences, college affordability is a top concern for parents and

Each year, upwards of $3 million in college financial aid goes unclaimed by low-income college students, despite the fact that it costs nothing to complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and that more than half of U.S. high school graduates qualify for free federal student aid. To help close the gap of unused and unmet financial aid for many students, states are beginning to enact Mandatory FAFSA policies, which require high school seniors to either apply for federal student aid or opt-out before they graduate. So far, the results have been promising for three states who are leading the way.

Mandatory FAFSA Policy to Become New Graduation Requirement?

August 18, 2020 2:22 PM

by Susan Dutca-Lovell

Each year, upwards of $3 million in college financial aid goes unclaimed by low-income college students, despite the fact that it costs nothing to complete and file the Free Application for Federal

Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, the current chairman of the Senate education committee, has recently proposed the Student Loan Repayment and FAFSA Simplification Act, a piece of legislation that would allow students with no income to forgo federal student loan repayments. His recommendations, which he developed with bipartisan support, would also simplify the FAFSA and reduce the number of federal loan repayment options from nine to two.

Senator Outlines Student Loan Relief in New Proposal

July 30, 2020 11:49 AM

by Izzy Hall

Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, the current chairman of the Senate education committee, has recently proposed the Student Loan Repayment and FAFSA Simplification Act, a piece of legislation

Have your financial circumstances changed due to COVID-19? You’re not alone. Many students and their families have faced unemployment, reduced job hours and general loss of economic stability in the wake of the pandemic. And as the FAFSA determines your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on income from the previous year, students may have greater financial need now than they did when they initially filed for federal aid. Unfortunately, the deadline to submit the FAFSA passed at the end of June. However, it is not too late to appeal your student financial aid from your chosen institution.

It’s Not Too Late: Guide to Appealing Financial Aid

July 28, 2020 1:20 PM

by Izzy Hall

Have your financial circumstances changed due to COVID-19? You’re not alone. Many students and their families have faced unemployment, reduced job hours and general loss of economic stability in the

The FAFSA is a critical tool for both applying to colleges and applying to scholarships – in fact, need-based scholarships often require that you submit the FAFSA as part of your application. So, in a time of economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it’s surprising to learn that many low-income and minority students did not submit the FAFSA for the upcoming academic year even though they would’ve been eligible for federal aid. At Scholarships.com, we don’t want students to miss out on any form of college financial aid. Applications for the next academic year will open soon, so get prepared by reviewing these FAFSA facts.

The FAFSA: Why You Should File (And How!)

July 23, 2020 3:47 PM

by Izzy Hall

The FAFSA is a critical tool for both applying to colleges and applying to scholarships – in fact, need-based scholarships often require that you submit the FAFSA as part of your application. So, in

If you're worried about how you will pay for college during the COVID-19 pandemic, you're not alone. Students and families are concerned about the college financial ramifications as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and higher education institutions are anticipating an increase in students' financial aid need, as well as a large number of college financial aid appeals. Fortunately, there are ample options and resources to help you pay for college these coming semesters. Explore the various options to find out which works best for your situation - from scholarship deadline extensions to relief provided through the CARES Act and more.

Paying for College during Coronavirus

June 26, 2020 3:48 PM

by Susan Dutca-Lovell

If you're worried about how you will pay for college during the COVID-19 pandemic, you're not alone. Students and families are concerned about the college financial ramifications as a result of the