Financial Aid and the FAFSA

The FAFSA is currently being updated by the federal government and will now open in December.  Financial Aid presentations will begin in either December or January.  The CSS Profile will continue to open on October 1.  Students should check the financial aid requirements for each college to determine which applications are necessary.  

College Access Fairfax 

College Access Fairfax (CAF) partners with Fairfax County Public Schools to provide families with access to information through evening presentations and weekend workshops on paying for college, scholarships, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).   

A full list of publications and resources can be accessed here: https://collegeaccessfairfax.org/resources/ 

More information on support for FAFSA completion and financial aid questions can be found at https://collegeaccessfairfax.org/covid-19-procedures/.

Additional information and resources can be found at the following locations:  

How to fill out the FAFSA - Watch a short video and see a list of documents necessary for completing the FAFSA

Federal Student Aid ID - Create an ID that will allow you to complete the FAFSA

FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid 

Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) Application - For Virginians who are nonimmigrants, undocumented, have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or are otherwise ineligible to file the FAFSA and would like to be considered for state financial aid. The VASA application provides access only to state financial aid.

Understanding FAFSA: a How-to Guide - Step-by-step instructions and explanations for the FAFSA available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, traditional Chinese and Urdu

CSS Profile - **Required at select institutions only

Student Loan Repayment Calculator - Explore repayment options based on income

VA 529 Plans - College Savings Plan information

SCHEV - Financial aid application deadlines for Virginia colleges

The Institute for College Access and Success: The Project on Student Debt: Keeping College within Reach 

eduPASS - Financial aid resources for international students