Resources & FAQ

The FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is how students become eligible for federal grants, work-study, and loans. Many states and colleges also use it to award their own aid.

The FAFSA typically opens in the fall. There are three important deadlines: federal, state, and school-specific. Submit as early as possible—some aid is first-come, first-served.

• Check FAFSA® deadlines
• Also check each college's financial aid page for priority dates.

Yes. The student needs an FSA ID; a contributing parent usually does too. Create them before starting the FAFSA to avoid delays.

• Student and parent Social Security numbers (or Alien Registration numbers)
• Tax info (student and parent), W-2s, untaxed income details
• Household size and number in college
• List of colleges/programs to receive the FAFSA (up to the current limit)

• Watch for your FAFSA Submission Summary and fix any errors.
• Colleges may ask for verification—respond quickly.
• Compare financial aid offers from each school and note deadlines.
• If needed, update schools listed on the FAFSA.

Start with the official overview of federal loans (types, interest, limits) and use the Loan Simulator to estimate future payments and compare plans. Federal Loans Overview · Loan Simulator

Check your high school counseling office site, local community foundations, employers, and civic groups (Rotary, Elks, PTA, etc.). Many districts publish a PDF or page with local awards and deadlines.

For broader searches, try: CareerOneStop and BigFuture.

Most colleges use one or both; some use state or institutional apps. Start with each college's admissions page. If both are accepted, choose the platform your son finds simpler or that aligns with your school list.

It depends on target schools, merit scholarships, and his practice scores. Many merit awards still consider test scores. Check each college's policy and scholarship criteria.

Look up registered apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov, and check community colleges for certificate programs. Build a starter résumé and seek part-time roles or internships via Handshake, LinkedIn, and Indeed.

In Google Docs, click Template gallery and choose a résumé to customize; add an "Activities & Honors" section. For polished layouts, see Canva templates.