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FAFSA: It’s Been Made Easier!

Two open faced hands hold a big ball of crumpled bills in them above a brown and green background of blurry foliage. A metaphoric representation of financial aid such as FAFSA

Let’s Break Down What it is First

FAFSA: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a form to be filled out by current and future college students in the US. Its purpose is to find out if they qualify for student financial aid from the government, and how much.

A cluttered desk of notebooks, a plant, and a computer with a piece of paper showing that depicts a stick figure developing a finance plan.
Photo by Rawpixel.com

An initiative of the Higher Education Services Corporation has made this part of college easier recently. This has made FAFSA and the Tuition Assistance Program, TAP , easier to access than ever before in my opinion. Plus the web pages feel much more friendly to use from the perspective of someone who has filled out FAFSA a few times before.

FAFSA & TAP: A Few of Many Ways to Fund Your Success

FAFSA and TAP are just a few of the ways that you can find resources to succeed using financial aid. You can use the US Department of Labor’s free scholarship search tool or read up here at StudentAid.gov on exactly how and where to find the perfect scholarships for you. The College Scholars Program is a marvelous way to fund your future if you can swing it. The Excelsior Scholarship and Enhanced Tuition Awards Program are some other things that have been affected by the modernization. They’re incorporated into the new section of NY.gov called “Start Here Get There” that we’re talking about.

It Was High Time for a FAFSA Rejuvenation, and That’s Exactly What We Got.

New York is really trying to work with students and make it less painful to fill out your forms every year that you’re going to school. The Department of Education is stepping up their game, and personally, I appreciate it. Less runaround and more getting things done, which is what we’re all about, right? Step-by-step instructions on how to complete the fafsa form can be found on the state’s new section of their website: StartHereGetThere.ny.gov.

A cork board of sticky notes with one in the middle, larger than the rest, that says "Make things Happen"
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

There’s Also A FAFSA App: myStudentAid

a screenshot of the Federal Student Aid app as seen from an iPhone when one searches for FAFSA.
The app as seen on an iPhone

The reviews on this app are the usual, ranging from rants to raves. From the need for an update to the ease and simplicity compared to the old method of filing FAFSA. In general, it’s safe to say that you should fully investigate how you like the app before taking anyone else’s word for it. You might just think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, who knows.

A screenshot of the Federal Student Aid app as seen on an Android phone when one searches FAFSA.
The app as seen on an Android phone

Finding the app was fairly simple, I merely searched “fafsa” in each of the app stores and it was one of the first apps to pop up, right after the ads of course.

If You Need Help:

There are also some numbers to call if you do get stuck somewhere during the process. If you need help understanding, the number for the Federal Student Aid Information Center is 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Another method of finding help is the FAFSA Assistance Hotline 1-800-808-1790, open Monday – Thursday, 9am – 5pm. You can also email them, simply address it to: FAFSAhelp@hesc.ny.gov or if you’re already logged into Facebook and want to message someone directly you can visit the page for New York State Financial Aid.

What Are You Waiting For? We’re Down to The Wire!

Now that you’re loaded up with resources and ways to fund your college journey, go apply for FAFSA here. You’ll want to apply ASAP so that everything is in place for the beginning of the Fall semester on August 26!

Roycroft Michaela
the authorRoycroft Michaela
Content Creator/Student Aide
I have a love of reading and writing, in addition to my many hobbies and loves; some of which include animals, baking & cooking, family, and art. I have a knack/passion for sharing good information with cool people like you. My major at SUNY Ulster is Communications in Media Arts and I plan to go far with it. My mantra is something like, the world is full of happiness and opportunity if you are only willing to open up and accept it.

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