Better FAFSA: Student & Family Engagement Toolkit
Get Schooled has partnered with NCAN to bring the Better FAFSA Student & Family Engagement Toolkit! These tools are designed to encourage and support FAFSA completion with students and families when the application opens in December. 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?
Empower students and families for a smoother financial aid journey. Let's make #BetterFAFSA a reality! 🎉
» Promoting Financial Aid: Resources to build FAFSA awareness with your students.
» Before the FAFSA: Resources to get students prepared 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: An educator planning tool with direct-to-student content, downloadables, and more!
Promoting Financial Aid
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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 Why it’s important Graphics
- » DOWNLOAD our Lesson Plan & Powerpoint
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Unlock opportunities! Applying for financial aid can open doors to affordable education, reduced student loan debt, and endless possibilities. Don't miss out—start your FAFSA journey today! 🚀 #FinancialAid #Education
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
Your high school counselor is your go-to guide for all things college, providing personalized advice and support tailored to your goals. Plus, if you need additional support or have questions, Get Schooled's digital advisors are available to answer your college and career questions—helping you navigate the journey ahead. With this team in your corner, you're unstoppable! 🎓💡 #CollegeSupport #YourFutureMatters
Before the FAFSA
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Creating an FSA ID
Access the Resources:
- » READ How to Create an FSA ID (Also in Spanish!)
- » WATCH How to Create an FSA ID in 5 Easy Steps
- » DOWNLOAD our How to Create an FSA ID Graphics & Video
- » DOWNLOAD our How to Create an FSA ID Handout (Also in Spanish!)
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
The first step toward accessing Financial Aid is creating a FSA ID for you and your contributors. Your FSA ID will be used to access your financial aid application. FSA IDs may take 1-3 days to authenticate. Set yourself up for success to apply when the application opens in December by making your FSA ID today! It's a simple and essential step to make your college dreams a reality. Let's make college dreams happen! 💸 #FAFSA #CollegeBound Click here to learn how to create an FSA ID.
Exploring Financial Aid Options
Access the Resources:
- » READ about the 2023-24 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 to use During Their Scholarship Search
- » PLAY How To Find Scholarships for College (Kahoot!)
- » DOWNLOAD our Applying to FAFSA Graphics to promote resources to students
- » 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 in finding money for college. Filing the FAFSA makes you eligible to be considered for several forms of aid including federal, state, & institutional grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. Make sure to complete your FAFSA once it opens this December!
Completing the FAFSA
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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 How to Prepare To Complete Your FAFSA Lesson Plan & Powerpoint
- DOWNLOAD How to Complete Your FAFSA Lesson Plan & Powerpoint
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Success is in the details! Gear up to complete your FAFSA smoothly. Create an FSA ID, gather necessary documents, make a checklist, and get ready to embark on your financial aid adventure. 🌟 #FAFSAReady #CollegePrep
Promotional Assets: Click the links below to download
- FAFSA is Open Graphics & Video (Coming December 2023)
- Prepare to Complete the FAFSA Video
Reporting Family Income on the FAFSA
Access the Resources:
- » DOWNLOAD Whose Income Do I report? Graphics
- » DOWNLOAD our Whose Income Do I Report Handout
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Filing the FAFSA will require one or both of your contributors (parents) to create a FSA ID and report their income on the application. Confused on whose income to report? Our friends at Get Schooled break it down for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkUnxUvctmI
After Completing the FAFSA
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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
Wondering what happens after you file your FAFSA? There are a few things you need to be on the lookout for and aware of as your FAFSA is processed. You may get flagged for verification, meaning you may need to submit additional documentation. Make sure you follow up on any request listed on your FAFSA Submission Summary or directly from your college ASAP!
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
Accepted to multiple colleges? 📚 It's decision time! Check out these resources that walk you through understanding and comparing your financial aid offers 💸 It can be a confusing process, so talk to your parent(s), your counselor, and text Get Schooled with any questions (33-55-77).
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 our drafting an appeal letter using SwiftStudent
Student Messaging: For Email, Text & Social Media Communications
Life happens, and your college understands that! If your financial situation has changed since you completed the FAFSA, don't hesitate to reach out to your college’s financial aid office and submit a change in circumstances form or appeal for more aid. Your education is worth it, and they're here to support you every step of the way. 🌟 #FinancialAidHelp #YourEducationMatters
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 here or the image below to download a copy.
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