Resources

Understanding FAFSA (2021)

Do you need money to go to college?  This is the first step if you want financial aid from the federal and state government or most colleges. Filling out the FAFSA can be overwhelming. Don’t worry. There is a lot of help!

Click here to download the PDF.
Translations into many other languages are available now here.

Preparing for College: Guide & Workbook
(VA 2021-2022)

  • Estimating your college costs
  • Tips for completing FASFA
  • Finding scholarships
  • and more

Click here to download the PDF now!

Breaking News

New VASA form for students not eligible for FAFSA (for Dreamers and undocumented)

New NOVA Dreamers Information

New Guidelines for In-State Tuition for Immigrants

Accessing College as an Undocumented Student – English   Spanish

Glitches with the 2020 FAFSA & Their Cure 

Virtual Library

CSS Profile – a Parent’s Guide – Presented by MEFA

Paying For College for High School Seniors (English)

Paying for College – Grades 9-11 (English)

Paying for College – Financial Aid Awareness for MS Parents

FAFSA Line-by-Line (English) 

Scholarships 101 (English)

Financial Award Letters 2021 (English)

College Access Fairfax PowerPoint Presentation Quick Fact Sheets

PowerPoint presentations are available on the Workshop page.

FASFA Quick Fact Sheet (English)    (Spanish)

Paying for College Quick Fact Sheet – (English)    (Spanish)

Scholarships 101 Quick Fact Sheet – PDF

Financial Aid – General Information

Are You Eligible for Financial Aid? 

College Preparation Checklist

Do You Need Money for College or Career School?

College 529 Plans and Financial Aid

Saving for Education with Invest 529 (PowerPoint presentation)

10 of the Biggest Financial Aid Mistakes

FinAid: Account Ownership: In Whose Name to Save?

Time: How to Have Your Kid Go To College – But Not Go Broke

Paying for College – Presentation

Free Application for Federal Student Aid – FAFSA

Information Required to Complete the FAFSA

FSA ID Creation (Powerpoint)

Create an FSA ID – English  Spanish

Create your FSA ID here

Complete the FAFSA online

How to Request a Transcript of Prior Year’s Tax Returns

The FAFSA – Who, What, Where and When

CSS PROFILE

2021-22 CSS Profile Student Guide

List of Schools that require the CSS Profile

Complete the CSS Profile online

Create a CSS Profile Account for Parent Use

Financial Aid Calculators

Student Aid Estimator (replaces FAFSA4caster)

FinAid Financial Aid Calculator

US Department of Education Net Price Calculator

Student Loan Payment Calculator 

New – Federal Student Loan Simulator

Financial Aid Deadlines

Virginia Public School Financial Aid Deadlines and Codes

Virginia Private School Financial Aid Deadlines and Codes

Understanding Your Financial Aid Award

How to Read Financial Aid Award Letters

How to Compare Financial Aid Offers

How to Evaluate Financial Aid Award Letters

School Counselor Webinar Series: Helping Families Understand Financial Aid Award Letters

Do’s and Don’ts in Appealing Awarded Student Aid

Understanding Financial Aid Award

 Evaluating Financial Aid

Information for Military Families

FAQs for Military Families

US Department of Veteran Affairs Veteran Benefits Fact Sheets

Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Fact Sheet

GI Bill Comparison Tool

Yellow Ribbon Program

Yellow Ribbon Program Participating Institutions

Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program

Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program Fact Sheet

Scholarship Sites

General

Fastweb

Big Future

The Community Foundation of Northern Virginia

Cappex

Sallie Mae

Specific Populations

Scholarships for Military Families

UNCF

Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

MALDEF

Scholarships for Dreamers

Scholarships that do NOT require US Citizenship or Residency

Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

General Information Sites

FinAid! Guide to Financial Aid

US Department of Education Federal Student Aid Financial Aid Toolkit

College Scorecard

SCHEV First Time Freshmen Admission Profile (Virginia Schools)

SCHEV Admissions History (Virginia Schools)

Fairfax County Public Schools General Information

College and Career Specialist School Assignments

College Fair/College Night Information

College Access Fairfax Workshop Posters

Class of 2022 FAFSA Completion – What to Bring