Helpful Links for Students Applying to College

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.

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