Here you’ll find helpful playlists to guide you through completing the FAFSA.  

When you complete the FAFSA, you may be asked to invite additional members of your family to provide their financial information.  This resource explains the FAFSA process, including who must provide information and what happens after submission.

States and colleges have different FAFSA deadlines. Check colleges’ financial aid pages for deadlines. Use this resource to find your state FAFSA deadline. Each state also has local resources to help complete the FAFSA.

Non-U.S. citizens can use this information to determine if they are eligible for federal aid. It also lists other financial aid options for ineligible students.

As you start FAFSA, you may be asked to invite family members, like a parent, to submit financial information.  Family members who complete part of your FAFSA are called contributors. To process your FAFSA, both you and your contributors will need to submit.

When you complete your FAFSA, you will get a Student Aid Summary.  This will tell you about the aid you’ve been offered from the federal government and include a number called your Student Aid Index.  Colleges use this number to determine how much aid you will receive from them.  A lower number means you’re eligible for more aid. 

Find out which colleges, universities, and scholarship programs require the CSS Profile to award institutional financial aid. This searchable list helps you confirm CSS Profile requirements for the schools you’re applying to.

Learn how to complete the CSS Profile step by step with clear instructions and a helpful video. This guide explains what information you’ll need and walks you through submitting your CSS Profile so colleges can review you for institutional financial aid.

Learn how to find and apply for scholarships to help pay for college, including tips for maximizing your chances of receiving funding.

Find scholarships based on education level, academic achievements, or personal interests. You can also find awards for completing steps in the college application process, such as building your college list or submitting applications.

Explore scholarships to help fund your education after high school. Search by state, eligibility, field of study, and personal criteria to find opportunities that match your goals.

eduPASS has compiled a list of scholarships for international students, along with search sites that allow you to filter by international eligibility.

TheDream.US provides college scholarships for undocumented students (Dreamers) across the U.S., helping them secure funding at partner colleges.

This tool from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can help you understand and compare your financial aid offers.

This series of FAQs from BigFuture can help you understand your financial aid offers and plan for next steps.

Use uAspire’s free College Cost Calculator to compare financial aid offers and estimate the total cost of attending different colleges. Include tuition, indirect expenses, and potential loan repayment to see which schools fit your budget.

DecidED helps students understand and compare college costs by reviewing financial aid offers, affordability, and key school factors, all in one place.

This article from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains the different types of student loans and the considerations to weigh when taking them out.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to submit an appeal (or request) to your college to adjust your financial aid package. SwiftStudent can help you understand eligibility and the appeal process, and provide templates to get started.