NBC4 consumer reporter Susan Hogan has found these helpful links for soon-to-be college students searching for financial help.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- U.S. Department of Education's Free Application for Federal Student Aid access site -- required by most colleges and universities
- Find it here.
CSS Financial Aid PROFILE
- The College Board's CSS Financial Aid PROFILE access site -- required by select colleges and universities
- Find it here.
FAFSA4caster
- A financial aid estimator that can be used be before officially applying for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Find it here.
FinAid Financial Aid Calculators
- Custom calculators that can help you figure out how much school will cost, how much you need to save and how much aid you'll need
- Find it here.
GI Bill Comparison Tool
- A tool used to learn about education programs and compare estimated benefits by school
- Find it here.
Creating an FSA ID
- Directions on how to secure an FSA ID need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Find it here.
How to Request a Transcript of Prior Years Tax Returns
- Directions on how to secure a copy of your prior year's tax return
- Find it here.
Federal Student Aid's Financial Aid Toolkit
- U.S. Department of Education's financial aid resource site
- Find it here.
College Scorecard
- U.S. Department of Education’s site with key indicators about the cost and value of institutions across the country to help students choose a school that is well-suited to meet their needs, priced affordably, and is consistent with their educational and career goals
- Find it here.
Tips for Parents – Helping with Essay Writing
- WOW Writing Workshop's site with helpful hits for parents regarding essay-writing for college and scholarship applications.
- Find it here (under Professionals – can sign up to receive tip sheets).
College Access Fairfax
- A nonprofit organization committed to helping Fairfax County Public School students with the complex task of acquiring financial aid for post-secondary education.
- Find it here.
Fairfax County Public Schools College Fair/College Night
- Fairfax County Public Schools' site with information regarding the annual College Fair and College Night events, held each October.
- Find it here.
Fastweb
- A national scholarship site
- Find it here.
College Net Mach 25
- A national scholarship site
- Find it here.