Better FAFSA: Student & Family Engagement Toolkit

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

Completing the FAFSA matters because it unlocks educational and financial aid opportunities. Don’t miss out! Read more here from Get Schooled about why completing the FAFSA matters.

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 on your financial aid application or get college application support! If you can’t visit us in person, Get Schooled can help too! Click here to start chatting with one of their virtual advisors.

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 first need to create StudentAid.gov accounts (FSA IDs). We recommend creating them a few days before you begin the application as it may take up to 3 days to authenticate. The application will be much easier if you and your contributors’ accounts are authenticated! Read more here from Get Schooled about creating your StudentAid.gov account.

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!)
• » DOWNLOAD our Applying to FAFSA Graphics
• » 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 makes you eligible for several forms of federal, state, and institutional aid, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. Read more here from Get Schooled about different college financial aid options.

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

Start completing the FAFSA today! Once you and your contributors create your StudentAid.gov accounts (FSA IDs), 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 here!

Promotional Assets: Click the links below to download

• FAFSA is Open Graphics & Video
• Prepare to Complete the FAFSA Video

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

Completing the FAFSA will require one or both of your contributors (parents) to create a StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) 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!

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 directly from your college ASAP! Read more here from Get Schooled about what happens once your FAFSA is submitted.

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 here.

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.