FAFSA Resources

Below are various resources. (last updated 5/2025)

• 2025-26 FAFSA Roadmap -- highlights key dates as well as timelines for the release of resources to assist partners;

• 2025-26 FAFSA Preview presentation -- provides financial aid administrators, advisors, and counselors with reference tools for staff trainings and financial aid nights;

• 2025-26 FAFSA Prototype -- provides the financial aid community an advance opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of the FAFSA user experience ahead of its broad release;

• Federal Student Aid Estimator -- supplies an estimate of the 2025-26 Student Aid Index (SAI) and federal Pell Grant eligibility calculation;

• “Who’s the Parent on the FAFSA Form?” wizard -- a new, stand-alone tool to help students and families determine who will need to provide contributor information on the 2025-26 FAFSA form before starting the application;

• “Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account” page -- a resource that explains everything families and partners need to know about creating a StudentAid.gov account;

• Pro Tips for Completing the FAFSA Form -- updated information for preparing to complete and submit the FAFSA form; and

• Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel: FAFSA videos -- videos to help students and families understand the importance of the FAFSA form, who is a FAFSA contributor, and what happens after submitting the form.

• Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC): college and FAFSA support videos -- The ISAC Student Portal offers free tools to help with career, college, and financial aid planning. Students can also get their college and financial aid questions answered by ISAC experts through ISAC’s free text messaging service, ISAC College Q&A. isac.org

 Additional resources and training may be found on the FAFSA Simplification Information page.  The latest information and outreach tools for counselors, college access professionals, and other advisors may be found in the Financial Aid Toolkit. 

Forgot Your Password?

***ALWAYS write down your FSA # (tip-use a notes app on your phone)***

BUT If you forgot your password on https://studentaid.gov/, try resetting your password by clicking this link here. If this does not work, you may need to contact student aid.

If you do not have access to your account because you do not have access to the email, phone number, or username used to set up your account, click here to help recover your account with a photo ID.

Still need help with FAFSA?

There’s free help available from the ISACorps to help you complete your application in as little as 30 minutes! If you need immediate assistance, you can schedule a one-on-one virtual meeting with an ISACorps member by clicking the following link: ISAC Bookings.

Those that are wanting to book English speaking or Spanish speaking appointments can use isac.org/booking link.

You may also email an ISAC representative, Michael Emerson at Michael.Emerson@illinois.gov , with any questions you may have.