Embedded Files
General FAFSA Resources and Tools
General FAFSA Resources and Tools
FAFSA Issue Alerts Page
You can reference the FAFSA Issue Alerts page for an official list of reported issues/bugs with the FAFSA.
NCAN maintains a central 2025-2026 FAFSA resource page containing training resources, student and family-facing resources, important updates, etc. This is a comprehensive hub for all things FAFSA.
uAspire FAFSA Checklist
Kudos to Mayra from BT Houston for sharing this resource! This is a handy checklist that you can provide students/families as they navigate the FAFSA process.
FAFSA Slack Channel
NCAN has set up Slack channel for members centered on the 2025-26 FAFSA. Members are encouraged to join and use it to ask questions as well as share experiences and resources related to the FAFSA.
Don't have an NCAN membership? You can request one from Breakthrough here. You can request to join NCAN's Online Practitioner Community via this link.
Appily 2025-2026 FAFSA Resource Hub
Appily's FAFSA Resource Hub provides up-to-date insight on:
What's new (and what hasn't changed) for FAFSA 2025–2026
How to prepare your financial documents before applying
Step-by-step FAFSA help for both first-timers and returning students
Strategies to unlock more scholarships and aid opportunities
Breakthrough's College Bound in a Box
This contains several financial aid and FAFSA resources, including financial aid 101 workshops.
Check out the "4. Financial Aid" section of this page for resources. In particular, the User Guide and the “Financial Aid Overview” presentation have been updated to reflect 2024-2025 FAFSA information.
Webinars and Trainings
Webinars and Trainings
The BT College Access and Success PD and Webinar Recording Library sheet contains recordings of past professional development recordings from sources like uAspire, NCAN, Federal Student Aid, etc.
Under the "Category" column you can filter for "Financial Aid" to view all FAFSA or finaid specific recordings.
NCAN hosts free webinars training college access and success staff on the FAFSA, and sharing updates related to the FAFSA roll-out process.
You can register for upcoming webinars, or view recordings of past events.
Federal Student Aid provides live webinars and webinar recordings on all topics FAFSA. They also have other training resources in the FSA Training Center.
uAspire hosts free webinars on financial aid and the FAFSA. Some webinars are student and family-facing, and others are trainings for college access and success practitioners.
Resources for Mixed-Status Families
Resources for Mixed-Status Families
Higher Ed Immigration Portal: Data Protections for FAFSA Information Guide
This guide helps counselors talk with families about whether or not it is safe to fill out the FAFSA.
This page provides more information.
FSA Guidance for Contributors without SSNs
This page provides instructions on how to submit the FAFSA if a contributor doesn't have a SSN. Additionally, this announcement provides more information.
Higher Ed Immigration Portal: FAFSA Hub for Mixed-Status Families
This resource hub provides up-to-date information and resources to support students from mixed-status immigrant families to complete the FAFSA. It includes information on eligibility, resources and guides, webinars and trainings, FAQs, an a social media toolkit.
CA Student Aid Commission Mixed-Status Families Page
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) has expanded the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) as an option for FAFSA-eligible students if they are experiencing difficulties completing the FAFSA successfully due to having a contributor without a Social Security number (SSN). This page provides more information.
November 2024 - Information for first-time filers in mixed-status householdsBreakthrough Central Texas' "November 2024 - Information for first-time filers in mixed-status households" Resource
This resource provides comprehensive guidance to practitioners re: supporting mixed-status families in filing the FAFSA., and is in both English and Spanish. The purpose of this resource is to ensure that students and families receive accurate information regarding the FAFSA, but is not intended to cause unnecessary fear or alarm. Huge kudos to colleagues at Breakthrough CTX for creating and sharing this.
This resource is designed to help financial aid administrators communicate clearly and confidently about the security of FAFSA information, so they can support students through the financial aid process.
Early High School Resources and Tools
Early High School Resources and Tools
Paper FAFSA Application
You can access the paper FAFSA application at this link. A Spanish version is also available here. This can be a useful tool to expose students to the FAFSA and its questions prior to 12th grade.
More coming soon!
Interpreting Financial Aid Offers/Award Letters
Interpreting Financial Aid Offers/Award Letters
uAspire College Cost Calculator
Compare financial aid offers and estimated total college costs.
Quick cost comparison tool from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority.
NASFAA Aid Offer Comparison Worksheet
A printable worksheet to manually compare up to three colleges.
Level Up Virginia Cost Comparison Calculator
A Google Sheets-based worksheet for in-depth cost analysis.
A free tool for uploading financial aid award letters to get a clear breakdown of costs and aid.
Student Loan Resources
Student Loan Resources
Student Debt Affordability Calculator
Helps students make informed student loan decisions. Recommended by NACAC.
Federal Student Loan Simulator
Estimates monthly loan payments and suggests repayment plans.
Resources for Appealing Financial Aid
Resources for Appealing Financial Aid
Assists students in drafting financial aid appeal letters for free.
uAspire Guide: How to Appeal Your Financial Aid
Step-by-step appeal process.
uAspire Sample Financial Aid Appeal Letters
Templates for crafting an effective appeal.
Resources for Students at Risk of or Experiencing Homelessness
Resources for Students at Risk of or Experiencing Homelessness
National Network for Youth: I Am Here: Vital Document Legal Hotline for Youth
The I Am Here: Vital Document Legal Hotline for Youth is a free, dedicated legal assistance hotline for youth experiencing homelessness to help obtain essential identification and vital documents.
SchoolHouse Connection FAFSA Page
This page provides comprehensive FAFSA-related resources to help youth, K-12 educators, homeless service providers, and higher education professionals understand, prepare, and fill out the FAFSA.
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