FAFSA Student & Family Engagement Toolkit

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Get Schooled’s FAFSA Student & Family Engagement Toolkit is designed to encourage and support FAFSA completion among 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

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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.

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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! 

Before the FAFSA

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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.

Access the Resources:

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

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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!

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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

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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. It will also include your Student Aid Index (SAI), a number used by colleges to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive. The lower your SAI, the more aid you may qualify for. 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.

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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.

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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 that our resources fit directly into their school’s existing platforms like Schoology, Google Classroom, MaiaLearning, and more! Click here to access the FAFSA Resource Map.

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Get Schooled is an all-digital, national nonprofit that supports young people in getting to college, finding first jobs, and succeeding in both. We develop youth-friendly, research-based content that engages and supports young people in achieving their education and first-jobs goals.

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