What is the FAFSA?

• When will the 2026-2027 FAFSA be available? The FAFSA will open beginning Oct. 1st. 

• Every college uses FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), www.fafsa.ed.gov, as one way to determine eligibility for student financial aid.   

• Step 1: The Student and Parent/Guardian must Create their own FSA ID which is the considered their FAFSA Account moving forward.

• Step 2: The student must create their account Student fills out their part of the FAFSA, and INVITES their contributors (parents/guardians).

• Step 3: Parent/Guardian accepts the invitation and completes their portion of the FAFSA. 

• Step 4: The student submits the application!

• All users (student and contributors) will be required to use the IRS Transfer tool when completing the FAFSA.

• The FAFSA is available in several languages

• The FAFSA Help Center has all the answers you are looking for!!! 

Financial Aid Assistance and Resources

Office of Student Financial Assistance at the Mass Dept. of Higher Education, The mission of the OSFA is to promote and enhance access and success in higher education through the delivery of quality financial aid resources and services to residents of the Commonwealth, ensuring that all individuals who desire it, have an opportunity to enrich their lives and contribute to the economic and social progress of the state. On this website you can find information about the following:

~ a quick guide to Massachusetts Financial Aid Programs, including eligibility requirements

~ grants offered for Massachusetts students, including eligibility requirements

~ scholarships offered specifically to Massachusetts students

~ tuition waiver programs, not just for graduating seniors!

~ additional information regarding loans for undergraduate and graduate students!

Massachusetts Educational Finance Authority (MEFA), the expert on financial aid, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the CSS Profile, will host a variety of live and recorded sessions for parents and students on how to complete both forms. You will need to RSVP to any of these events, please click on the appropriate link below so you can register.

• Financial Aid 101 2025-2026 is a webinar (they have several offerings, at night from 6:30 - 7:30 and some during the day from 12:00 - 1:00) that will provide information and clarity on the entire college financial aid application process. You'll learn about financial aid applications and types of financial aid, the factors that determine your aid eligibility, how colleges determine the amount of aid to offer, and the details of financial aid offers. Live transcription will be available. 

• Looking for Spanish? They are hosting Ayuda Económica para la Universidad 101 on October 16, 2025 6:30 - 7:30 pm, to register for this event, please click here.

• CSS Profile Webinars are Thursday September 30th from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. or October 23rd from 12:00 - 1:00pm

• The FAFSA Festival will be held on October 22nd 4:00 - 6:00 pm. Participating in this event allows students and families to receive individual assistance in a virtual setting as you complete the FAFSA. Experts will be available in breakout rooms to answer any questions and guide families through the process.

• MEFA Events: you can check out additional webinars or community events that MEFA may offer. 

Below are three different resources available to you when you are preparing for and going through the financial aid process! Don’t hesitate reaching out to any of these resources for assistance!

For help with the FAFSA:

Email: StudentAid@ed.gov

Phone: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

Live chat: Visit StudentAidgov/help-center-contact and select “Chat with Us”

Assistance: Attend a FAFSA Day event 

X (formerly Twitter): @FAFSA

Facebook: /FederalStudentAid

MEFA's Understanding the FAFSA webinar

For help with the CSS Profile:

Email: finaidservices@cssprofile.org

Phone: (844) 202-0524

Live chat: Select Contact us within the application and then CHAT AVAILABLE

MEFA's What to Know About the CSS Profile webinar

For general financial aid help from MEFA:

Email: collegeplanning@mefa.org

Phone: (800) 449-MEFA (6332)

X (formerly Twitter): @MEFAtweets

Facebook: /mefaMA

Web: Different Types of Student Financial Aid

CSS Profile

• The PROFILE form is administered by the College Scholarship Service (CSS), the financial aid division of the College Board. The CSS PROFILE is required by many private colleges and universities to determine your eligibility for non-government financial aid, such as the institution's own grants, loans and scholarships.: https://profileonline.collegeboard.org. You may start filling this out after October 1st.

*Be sure to note school specific deadlines while doing your research*