FAFSA Student & Family Engagement Toolkit
Get Schooled has partnered with NCAN to bring the FAFSA Student & Family Engagement Toolkit! These tools are designed to encourage and support FAFSA completion with students and families. Keep this page bookmarked or sign up for our weekly educator newsletter to stay informed on new content and resources we’ll release throughout the school year!
What's in the toolkit?
Our toolkit is organized to support students and families through each step of FAFSA completion. Each section will have an article, downloadable in English and Spanish, video, and Kahoot on the topic.
» Promoting Financial Aid: Resources to build FAFSA awareness with students.
» Before the FAFSA: Resources to prepare students to complete the application.
» Completing the FAFSA: Support students and families in application completion.
» After completing the FAFSA: Support steps after submitting the application.
» FAFSA Resource Map: Educator planning tool with direct-to-student content, videos, downloadables, and Kahoots!
Promoting Financial Aid
CLICK ON THE ARROW (▶) TO EXPAND THE SECTIONS
Why FAFSA is Important
Access the Resources:
- » READ FAFSA: What it is & Why it Matters
- » PLAY Why Completing The FAFSA Matters (Kahoot!)
- » WATCH FAFSA: Why it’s Important
- » DOWNLOAD our Lesson Plan & Powerpoint
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Completing the FAFSA matters because it unlocks educational and financial aid opportunities. Completing the form is not a commitment–it simply helps you learn which aid you’re eligible to receive and accept later. Don’t miss out! Read more from Get Schooled about why completing the FAFSA matters.
Financial Aid Student Supports
Edit our Canva Template: Click the links below to download:
Square | Vertical | Horizontal | Flier Handout
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Visit us at the (insert name) to get support with your college and financial aid applications! If you can’t visit us in person, Get Schooled can help too! Click here to start chatting with one of their virtual advisors.
Before the FAFSA
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Creating a StudentAid.Gov Account (FSA ID)
Access the Resources:
- » READ How to Create a StudentAid.gov Account (FSA ID) (Also in Spanish!)
- » WATCH How to Create an FSA ID in 5 Easy Steps
- » DOWNLOAD our How to Create a StudentAid.gov Account (FSA ID) Graphics & Video
- » DOWNLOAD our How to Create a StudentAid.gov Account Handout (Also in Spanish!)
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Before completing the FAFSA, you and your contributors (parents) will need to create StudentAid.gov accounts (formerly known as FSA IDs). We recommend creating them a few days before you begin the application as it may take up to 3 days to authenticate. Students and contributors will use their accounts to complete, sign, and submit their portion of the FAFSA. Read more from Get Schooled about creating your StudentAid.gov account.
Exploring Financial Aid Options
Access the Resources:
- » READ about Financial Aid Terms & Definitions (Also in Spanish!)
- » PLAY Financial Aid 101: Key Terms & Phrases - Lesson (Kahoot!)
- » PLAY Understanding Scholarships, Loans, & Grants - Lesson (Kahoot!)
- » WATCH Unlock the Secrets to Finding Scholarships: Top FAQs Answered
- » DOWNLOAD our Free Scholarship Application Requirements Tracker
- » PLAY How To Find Scholarships for College (Kahoot!)
- » PLAY What To Know About Work-Study (Kahoot!)
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Completing the FAFSA is the first step you take toward receiving financial aid for college. The FAFSA gives you access to grants and scholarships that you do not have to repay, work-study that allows you to earn money with a part-time job while in school, and federal student loans that you must repay once you graduate. Read more from Get Schooled about college financial aid options.
Completing the FAFSA
CLICK ON THE ARROW (▶) TO EXPAND THE SECTIONS
How to Complete the FAFSA
Access the Resources:
- » READ What Information Do You Need to Complete the FAFSA?
- » READ How to Complete the FAFSA (Also in Spanish!)
- » WATCH How to Prepare to Complete your FAFSA
- » DOWNLOAD our FAFSA Completion Checklist
- DOWNLOAD our How to Prepare To Complete Your FAFSA Lesson Plan & Powerpoint
- DOWNLOAD our How to Complete Your FAFSA Lesson Plan & Powerpoint
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Start completing the FAFSA today! Once you and your contributors create your StudentAid.gov accounts, you’ll be ready to gather the necessary documents and start completing the FAFSA. Get Schooled has what you need to know about completing the FAFSA!
Promotional Assets: Click the links below to download
Reporting Family Income on the FAFSA
Access the Resources:
- » DOWNLOAD our Whose Income Do I report? Graphics
- » DOWNLOAD our Whose Income Do I Report Handout
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Completing the FAFSA will require one or both of your contributors (parents) to create a StudentAid.gov account and report their income on the application. Not sure which parent needs to contribute to your FAFSA? Our friends at Get Schooled break it down for you!
After Completing the FAFSA
CLICK ON THE ARROW (▶) TO EXPAND THE SECTIONS
Next Steps After Submitting the FAFSA
Access the Resources:
- » READ Your FAFSA is Filed, Now What?
- » DOWNLOAD our Your FAFSA is Filed Now What? Handout
- » READ How Change in Circumstances Forms Work (Also in Spanish!)
- » PLAY How Change in Circumstances Forms Work (Kahoot!)
- » WATCH Didn’t Get Enough Financial Aid?
- » WATCH My FAFSA Got Flagged For Verification? What Should I Do?
- » PLAY What To Do If Your FAFSA Is Selected For Verification (Kahoot!)
- » DOWNLOAD our My FAFSA Got Flagged For Verification? What Should I Do? Handout
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Once you submit your FAFSA, you will receive your FAFSA Submission Summary. Your Submission Summary will note whether your FAFSA was processed or needs to be fixed before successfully processing. Make sure you follow up on any requests listed on your FAFSA Submission Summary or from your college ASAP! Read more from Get Schooled about what happens once your FAFSA is submitted.
Review College Acceptance Letters & Financial Aid Packages
Access the Resources:
- » READ Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Letter (Also in Spanish!)
- » PLAY Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Letter (Kahoot!)
- » WATCH Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Letter
- » DOWNLOAD our How to Read Your College Bill Handout
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Once you receive your college acceptance letters and financial aid offer letters, it’s time to decide where to attend. Be sure to talk to your counselor and parents before making a final decision. Get Schooled can also help! Read more about understanding your financial aid offer letters.
Requesting More Aid from Colleges
Access the Resources:
- » READ How Change in Circumstances Forms Work (Also in Spanish!)
- » PLAY How Change in Circumstances Forms Work (Kahoot!)
- » WATCH Didn’t Get Enough Financial Aid?
- » PRACTICE Drafting an Appeal Letter Using SwiftStudent
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
If your family’s financial situation changed within the last two years, don’t hesitate to reach out to your college’s financial aid office to explore your options. You may be able to submit a change in financial circumstances appeal form to request more aid. Read more from Get Schooled about requesting more financial aid from your college.
FAFSA Resource Map: Educator Planning Tool
Use this educator planning tool with direct-to-student content, downloadables, and more! This resource is a guide to help your students complete the FAFSA and maximize their financial aid for college. Many educators find our resources fit directly into their school’s existing platforms like Schoology, Google Classroom, MaiaLearning, and more! Click the image below to access the FAFSA Resource Map.
More from Get Schooled
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