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The FAFSA is officially open this January, and if you've been following along here on the blog, you know it's been a long and winding road. We made it from an initial rollout to some big failures, to beta testing, and now a fully open "simplified" FAFSA. We recommend reaching out to speak with a certified FAFSA preparer here at Send Your Kids to College with any questions, but today we want to take a few minutes to talk about some important reminders when it comes to filling out your FAFSA financial aid forms.
Get FAFSA In ASAP
First Come, First Serve.
Work Together
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Get FAFSA In ASAP
Like any paperwork or challenging forms, when it comes to financial aid and FAFSA, it can be easy to push to the back burner. Games, concerts, practices, and study sessions all are at the forefront of focus as our kids enter and meander through their senior year of high school, but now that FAFSA is officially open for 2025-2026, you should be aware that there are significant benefits to completing and submitting your kid's paperwork as soon as possible.
Financial aid can really be first come first serve. (in some cases)
Federal student aid is not necessarily always first come first serve, but in some cases it is. To put it simply; when you turn in your FAFSA early, it maximizes your chances of securing the most possible financial aid.
The sooner you apply, the more aid your kids are eligible for, and may qualify for. There is also the case of state grants and financial aid. Grants and state aid is determined partly by details in the FAFSA, so filing early can help your chances of earning more grants and state aid that you will miss out on later on the calendar.
Parents & Students MUST Work Together
The new FAFSA certainly puts more onus on the student to complete more paperwork than the original FAFSA, which pretty much counted on the parent to do all the heavy lifting. Now a student will need to fill out their information and leave a parent's social security and email and the parent will log in separately.
This means students and parents must be in close communication and stay on the same page. The student may need some blanks filled in by the parent, and vice versa. By working together, you can spare delays from incomplete information and ensure you both get your portions done quickly. Let's be honest, the student will still need a hand, and a push to get started. The sooner the better!
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help
We've found that the new FAFSA, though it is meant to be simpler, isn't always easy. We've also seen that parents who may have completed a FAFSA in the previous version aren't exactly finding it easy to work with the new system.
Luckily you are not alone. If you or your student wants a hand with any financial aid paperwork, you can work with our certified college planning specialists here to help complete your forms the right way. If you have a question or concern, don't be afraid to reach out via phone or by our contact form! We are always here for the students and parents of WNY!
We wish you the best of luck in completing the 2025 FAFSA, TAP, and CSS profile! If you need help, remember that our team here can certainly lend a hand and help you fill out the forms. Remember to follow us on Facebook and Linkedin for more tips for students and parents here in Western New York!
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