3 FAFSA secrets to help you get the most financial aid

Chances are, if you are watching this, you’ve heard of the FAFSA before. Short for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the FAFSA helps colleges to determine eligibility for Federal and State financial aid. In this video, I’m going to share 3 secrets to help your student get the most from their FAFSA scholarship.

00:00 Intro
00:52 FAFSA
02:15 Apply early
05:23 Always fill out FAFSA
07:36 Apply yearly

At The Scholarship System, we redefine paying for college to help families build strong financial futures. The Scholarship System teaches a step-by-step process to secure college funding, primarily focusing on scholarships, through our online courses and resources.

Families have secured over $10.5 million in scholarships to date, helping their students pursue their dreams of a debt-free college education.

When you’re ready to go deeper, check these out:
💸 Free Webinar: 6 Steps to Securing Scholarships:

Let’s Connect!

P.S. International Students - This information is meant for US citizens and/or residents in the United States. While many of the tips will be helpful for you (i.e. how to write a well-written essay), we are not specialized in international student scholarships.

[craigwilcox]

I was a 32-year-old homeless US Army veteran, and they wanted my parent's income information in graduate school. I'd never been asked for that at my undergraduate school. It reduced my student aide so severely that I could never afford housing and lived in my car through my entire MS degree.

[kimvisser]

Gosh I wish I had found your video years ago! So so helpful!

[candacep]

Great video. You do such good work! Can you give an example of a college that provides “Gap” funding? I’d love to see if I can direct my kids!

[mbgts]

Glad to have found you, wish we would have years ago. Do you have any videos on how current college students can apply for scholarships? Both of my kids received scholarships, however, they went to a local CC and will be graduating with their AA degrees soon. We're looking for info on how to fund their BA pursuits and ensure if the application process works any differently than the process we followed while they were still in HS as well as tips/tricks to get funding.

[AnitaHanjob]

Something I learned with the fafsa system is that I have to keep appealing.

Appeal
Appeal
Appeal

For 2023/2024 application FAFSA used my w2 from my active military duty in 2021. I was honorably discharged in 2023 and remained unemployed because I committed myself to college full time. Along with the GI bill. FAFSA said I made too much money with an annual salary of 28k in the marine corps (yes you heard that right, 28k is apparently too much money for FAFSA) and received 0$ for 2023/2024 aid, bummer . I did appeal and appeal providing my DD214 and termination paperwork which lowered my EFC. This year of 2024/2025 I’m going to get the full maximum student aid package after months of appealing to the Financial aid office. They made this a pain in the ass because of the EFC system they have in play.

[ijeomakalu]

How can I add my spouse’s information after fafsa form is submitted

[georgebaileysgal]

Wow- Thank you for this video. I am new to all of this. Trying to help my daughter. Just learned that FAFSA form for the Fall 2024 year is not yet avail, but should be coming out SOON, sometime in Dec. Do you concur? Also, we are self employed, so it makes things just a touch more difficult. Any tips there? Thank you so much! So glad I found this video. Now to check out your vids on scholarships and everything else.... TY <3

[iveyd]

If father and mother are divorced and father refuses to pay for any college - mother is residential parent who child lives with - is there any way to show this circumstance in FAFSA or is al this something to be appealed with individual school? Thank you for this great video. It’s very informative and helpful!

[danaclark]

Please explain where I can find more info on the Gap scholarships you mentioned.

[HoudaBeautyOfficielle]

thank you for the video, I loved it very much, and I want to know if a green card holder can fill out FAFSA? he's a person who just arrived in the US, he never filled out taxes, and already has a master's degree in chemistry in his home country, but wants to study MLT in a community college full-time. he's living with his cousin and has one income of about $2000 per month. so is he eligible and will he be able to get a grant to cover his studies??

[delmacorona]

Great video!! I am separated, but not legally divorced, filing separate, we live in two different states.
Does my senior father need to file fafsa as a contributor?

[meganharrison]

I have probably somewhat of a unique question. I am getting ready to fill out the FASFA with my daughter who is a senior. Our family just recently finalized a divorce. My ex spouse earns a three figure income, but is not able to contribute in any way to my daughters schooling. I am the parent of primary residence, and with my first year teaching income, she would probably qualify for a lot of aid. How are we able to show that my ex spouse is unable to contribute due to massive amounts of debt and fraudulent practices. The government is about to start garnishing his wages for his student loans that have not been paid back. I am very concerned that this is going to hurt my daughter chances at funding her own education!

[markharper]

Hello. I am a pastor and I am given a housing allowance and as a result, I have a lower salary. Is there anything I need to know in entering these items into my daughter's FASA? Thanks for your help.

[watchandlearn]

I change my change job into lower salary this year 2024.. how can I show that my income is lower now this year 2024.. thank you to your video I learned. Angelo

[lorenaperez]

My daughter was accepted in UCLA, USC, Berkeley, my husband and I we made 140k ( not her dad ) FAFSA told her us not elegible for any help it breaks my ❤ see her crying

[leslietaylor]

my husband is older and receives Social Security check, daughter has also been getting money from social security. does that need to be listed or will that automatically come up on the 2022 taxes?

[wceirtv]

I have a hard of hearing student going into her senior year of college. Do you have any scholarships available for students with disabilities? So far we have received no help for the first 3 years. We didn't realize there was resources like this as her high school was not the best. Thank you

[StephanieFrey-dbyb]

This is my second year applying to FAFSA, (my kids are a sophomore and Junior transfer). This year I don't have access to update my total cash, savings and checking account, current net worth or my ex husbands information. Is this part of the new system? Also, my last name is spelled wrong and when I go to correct it it states this action will temporarily disable my application. Thank you for your help.

[berniceginyard]

I retired in Oct of 2022 and my husband was already retired. We both have pension would this change our fafas form?

[lesliemcwhirter]

When my child attends graduate school, do we file the FAFSA?