Financial Aid/Scholarhships

Financial Aid Information

Create your FSA ID Now

While we wait for new information about when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) will be available, now is the perfect time to get your FSA IDs. That way, you are ready to complete and submit the FAFSA® as soon as it becomes available, which is projected to be late December.


Click on the arrow to the right for some key FAQs related to the FSA ID:

What is an FSA ID?

A FSA ID is a username and password that is required to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).


Why do you recommend doing this now?

Processing a new FSA ID can take up to 5 business days. By getting those IDs now, it means your students and their families will be ready to complete and submit the FAFSA® once it's available and not have to wait for their FSA IDs to process.


Who needs an FSA ID?

Beginning with the 2024–25 FAFSA®, all contributors (student, student's spouse, and/or parent) must have their own FSA ID.

To find out if your student is eligible for financial aid and to submit a FAFSA®, please encourage them to visit our eligibility page.


How does someone get an FSA ID?

To create an FSA ID, please go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.


What if the student or contributor doesn’t remember their FSA ID or is not sure if they have one?

To retrieve a forgotten FSA ID or password, please go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing and click either the "Forgot my Username" or "Forgot my Password" links.


What if the parent of a student doesn't have a Social Security Number (SSN)?

Those contributors without an SSN, but whose student is eligible to apply for federal student aid, will need an FSA ID. However, they cannot yet create an FSA ID without an SSN. We expect this access to be available around the same time the FAFSA® is released. 

Help with FAFSA

CAPFAA (CT Association of Professional Financial Aid Administrators) has created a centralized website that provides information about the various event dates & locations, student and volunteer registration, with just one click at https://www.capfaa.org/fafsa-day/ . 

Click here for locations: https://www.capfaa.org/fafsa-day/fafsa-day-locations/ 

Paying for College

Understanding Your Financial Aid Package

How to Read your Financial Aid Award Letter

Figure out your real cost. Every school has a list price, but what it will actually cost you depends on your financial aid package. To figure out that number, look at the cost of attendance that the school lists. Then subtract grants and scholarships (that’s the free aid that you don’t have to pay back) to get the net cost.

Be smart about borrowing. You’ll also see what type of federal student loans you are eligible for listed on the offer letter. Federal loans usually have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans.

Look into work-study programs. Work-study is a federal program that schools administer to provide students part-time jobs. Jobs are typically on-campus but can be off-campus, too. You have to find an eligible job and work the allotted hours to get that money.

Think long-term about aid. The financial aid information you get is for one academic year, but you should think about how much aid you’ll get over the four years you’ll be in school, or however long your academic program is.

Appeal your financial aid award. If you don’t believe the financial aid package meets your needs, you may consider appealing to the school’s financial aid office. If you received another offer from a comparable school or if you had a change in circumstances since you applied, contact the school to ask that they review your finances.  

https://www.consumerreports.org/paying-for-college/how-to-decode-your-college-financial-aid-offer/