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Any student who is interested in applying for financial aid must complete the FAFSA form. Please note the FAFSA application is FREE!! If you are being asked to pay to complete the form, you are on the wrong website.
Counselors are NOT able to help families fill out the FAFSA due to the confidential nature of your tax returns. If you have questions about your FAFSA, please reach out to the Financial Aid office at one of the colleges your child is applying to and they will be happy to help.
FAFSA Website: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing
Method Learning presents...
Filing the FAFSA and CSS Profile like a Pro
Join us September 25th at 8:00 pm ET for this informative webinar!
Filing for financial aid can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you're filing for the first time, catching up, or dealing with financial changes, this session will walk you through the FAFSA and CSS Profile with expert clarity and step-by-step guidance. Perfect for senior families (and juniors planning ahead), this webinar is designed to eliminate confusion, reduce errors, and help you submit your applications with confidence.
In this session, you'll learn:
📋Key differences between the two forms
🚫 Common mistakes to avoid—and how to fix them
📤What happens after you hit “submit,” including follow-up steps
🎁Bonus: Tips for Communicating with Financial Aid Offices (downloadable handout)
Led by expert college financial advisors, you will leave this session with concrete tips on filling out the FAFSA and the CSS. Attend this webinar and save yourself the time of trying to gather all of the information yourself.
Register here to attend live or to get the recording to watch at your convenience.
September Updates from HESC
FAFSA and TAP Applications Expected to Open in October
Here are some key tips to help ensure your students are ready:
Create a StudentAid.gov Account: Both students and their contributors will need an account before they can submit a FAFSA.
Gather Necessary Documents: Have key documents ready, like tax returns, W-2s, and Social Security numbers.
Double-Check Deadlines: Emphasize the importance of submitting applications early to maximize financial aid opportunities.
Need Help? Join a Free Virtual Event!
Planning for College:
To-Do Checklists for High School Seniors – Presentation—September 9, 5p
FAFSA and TAP: What and Why? Presentation—September 17,6p
NYS Financial Aid Program Presentation—September 18,6p
Admissions and Financial Aid Connection Presentation—September 24,6p
Creating a Smart College List Presentation—September 30,6p
NYS Financial Aid Spotlights
Creating Your StudentAid.gov (FSA ID) Account – September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 4p
Como crear su cuenta StudentAid.gov (La credencial FSA ID)—September 18, 25, 4p
Senior Year: Navigating College Financial Aid—September 4, 11, 15, 29, 6p
HESC Drop-Ins: Get Assistance with Financial Aid Questions Every Wednesday, 2p
DREAM Act/ Alt Path Support Sessions—September 9, 5p
HESC Text Alerts
Students can sign up for HESC Text alerts and get deadline reminders and tips right to their phones.
Follow HESC on Social Media
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X | YouTube | LinkedIn
FAFSA Completion Workshops
FAFSA Completion Workshops
It's time to complete your Financial Aid application! This is a hands-on workshop, so be ready to complete your FAFSA during the program. You will need to have the following information handy: FAFSA Completion Checklist.
This workshop will be most useful if you can complete your FAFSA on one device while viewing the webinar on a second device. Therefore, two devices are recommended, if possible.
2025-26 FAFSA and New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Applications Are Now Open
Students must complete FAFSA and TAP applications each year to receive an award.
Here’s what students and their families need to know:
FAFSA Renewal: Renewing the FAFSA can be quick and easy. Much of the information provided by students and their families on the previous year’s FAFSA automatically carries over. Students should be sure to update any information that has changed since last year. To renew, visit the Federal Student Aid website and log in as a returning user. Visit the Prepare What You Need page for more information on the documentation needed to complete the FAFSA.
NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): To request payment of the TAP award each year, students must complete the NYS Student Aid Payment Application, which is linked directly from the FAFSA.
Students applying through the New York State DREAM Act can apply through their DREAM Act account.
Text Alerts for Financial Aid: Sign up to receive texts from the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) with key information about financial aid, important deadline dates, and resources to help students on their path to higher education.
Need assistance completing the FAFSA or TAP? Check HESC’s schedule of events for one-on-one help completing the applications.
Get Connected to the Resources Students Need to Prepare for College
High school students and their parents can sign up to receive text messages from the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation to get connected to the resources they need to prepare for college and apply for financial aid.
Text messages include key information about financial aid programs, how to apply, important deadlines, available events to assist students in completing applications, and resources to help put them on the right path toward their college careers.
Sign-up is quick and easy at HESC Text Messaging Registration.
Any questions can be sent to thepath@hesc.ny.gov.
Need help with the FAFSA?
Check here for virtual events hosted by NYS HESC: StartHereGetThere.ny.gov/events
New Financial Wellness Resources for Students
· The SUNY Smart Track financial wellness website helps students and their families prepare not only for the academic demands of college but also to plan for the financial commitment involved in earning a degree. These tools provided by SUNY are free of charge and can aid guidance counselors and schools districts in supporting financial aid awareness among students and their families, and put them in a position to pay for college, whether they attend SUNY or not.
· The website includes a series of brief, interactive online courses, as well as tips to prepare for college, a directory of career options in New York, information about filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, and a direct link to start the process. In addition to the tools and resources available, visitors can create a financial plan specific to the needs of 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students.
· Questions can be sent to the SUNY financial aid mailbox, finaid@suny.edu
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