Resources & Information
Understanding FAFSA (2022)
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 2022-2023)
⇒ Estimating your college costs
⇒ Tips for completing FASFA
⇒ Finding scholarships
⇒ and more
Click here to download the PDF now!
Articles
New: A Guide to the Comming College Financial Aid Season (WSJ)
Are You Eligible for Financial Aid?
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
Websites
FinAid! Guide to Financial Aid
US Department of Education Federal Student Aid Financial Aid Toolkit
SCHEV First Time Freshmen Admission Profile (Virginia Schools)
General Scholarship Websites
The Community Foundation of Northern Virginia
Scholarships for Specific Populations
Scholarships for Military Families
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
Scholarships that do NOT require US Citizenship or Residency
College Access Fairfax PowerPoint Presentation Quick Fact Sheets
PowerPoint presentations are available on the Workshop page.
FASFA Quick Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish)
CSS Profile:
An additional financial aid form for select colleges.
Please note: Our primary focus at CAF is to complete FAFSA and VASA with students and their families, explain the financial aid process, and help students review potential scholarships. Below are some excellent resources for understanding CSS Profile completion. The form and its embedded question support is excellent. If someone has difficulty once they have viewed these supports and have attempted the CSS Profile form, they can reach out to us and we can take a look at individual questions with them.
Learn More About the CSS Profile (MEFA webinar video)
Information for Undocumented Students including
In-State Tuition, VASA form and Scholarships.
Information for Undocumented Students
Scholarship Resources for Independent Students (homeless, unaccompanied minor, etc.)