Episode 21: Financial Aid With FAFSA

Financing

Dec 12

Written By HTC

In this episode, Cody chats with 3 fellow first-gens who highlight their experiences of completing the FAFSA and navigating the financial aid process for college.

In this episode you will hear from:

Amani, a current high school senior, who just completed the FAFSA for the very first time. Amani soon learned the importance of parent collaboration with the FAFSA, as she heavily relied on her father’s assistance with the information he had to provide to complete her application.
Noelia, a current college student, discusses her family's initial experiences with the FAFSA and lessons learned and resources she used in high school to help her family complete the process. She also details some initial barriers to actually obtaining some of her aid and how working closely with her college’s financial aid office was incredibly helpful.
Thomas, a college graduate and graduate school student, who now works as a member of the ISACorps in the state of Illinois. The ISACorps is a group of recent college graduates that assist students in IL with college admissions and financial aid. Thomas explores how he uses his experiences in financial aid as a first generation student to best advise the students he works with as their families experience the financial aid process for the first time. Additionally, he offers insight into Financial Aid strategies and tips.

These days, being able to afford college is a huge factor for many students when it comes to making attending college a reality. While there is tons of financial aid funding out there, the financial aid process can be challenging for most students and families, let alone those who are experiencing it for the first time. It’s important for first generation students and families to know that they are not alone in this process and that there are many resources and people to help them through this process.

You may have noticed a few common themes from each of our interviews: being organized and prepared, reaching out to others for help and learning about financial aid earlier. These are very important take-aways that I hope our first gens and their families will carry with them as they embark on this journey.

Below are some financial aid resources as well:

FAFSA Assistance Helpline - 1-800-4FED-AID
Net Price Calculator (every college has a Net Price Calculator on their website, please see each website for details)
FSA ID - www.fsaid.ed.gov - Your log-in or account for the FAFSA (1 for student + 1 for parent)
FAFSA - www.fafsa.gov - FAFSA Application
FAFSA Document List - https://studentaid.gov/help/info-needed
Federal Student Aid Handouts & Forms - https://studentaid.gov/resources
Federal Student Aid Videos and Tutorials - https://www.youtube.com/user/FederalStudentAid
CSS Profile (Additional Financial Aid form only required by some institutions) - https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/