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Resource Center

High school counselors have the opportunity to help North Carolina’s students navigate the FAFSA and create a plan to pay for college. Here are credible resources on the latest changes to the FAFSA application:

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24-25 FAFSA Tips

Check this list of common FAFSA glitches to learn how to help your students navigate them.
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Better FAFSA Effective Dates

NASFAA gives a timeline of effective dates for federal legislation that made changes to the FAFSA.
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Better FAFSA FAQs

The National College Attainment Network answers frequently asked questions about the Better FAFSA timeline, FSA ID related queries, FAFSA form changes and the federal methodology formula.
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Better FAFSA for Mixed-Status Families: Top 10 Things to Know So You Can Prepare

Learn what the Better FAFSA changes mean for mixed-status families.
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Better FAFSA Form Preview

Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, presents a preview with screenshots of what the 2024-2025 FAFSA Form will look like. Scroll down for PDF or PPT files.
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Breaking Down The Pell Lookup Tables

The new Pell lookup tables are expected to make it easier for families to see how much federal grant aid they’ll qualify for — funds that won’t need to be paid back. This resource breaks it down for you.
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Changes For Multi Sibling Family Article

NASFAA discusses changes for families with multiple children in college in “Removal of Number in College Yields More Equitable, Simple Application Process.”
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Cost Of Attendance

This Federal Student Aid tool allows students to estimate the cost of attendance at their schools of interest. It can be customized for living on or off campus.
Webinar

Engaging Families In Upcoming FAFSA Changes (July 2023)

Presented by Federal Student Aid for college access professionals, a login is required, or you can log in as a guest.
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FAFSA Case Studies

Case studies from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators showing expected outcomes of the revamped formula on specific case study examples. The examples show the expected SAI numbers, as well as show how it would have been calculated under the previous EFC formula. They also explain outcomes like Pell Grant eligibility determinations.
Webinar

FAFSA Changes Overview (May 2023)

Presented by Federal Student Aid for college access professionals, a login is required, or you can log in as a guest.
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FAFSA Prototype

Access the prototype to get a better understanding of the user experience.

Use password: prototype2425
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Federal Student Aid Estimator

This tool can be used by students and families to estimate what federal aid they may be eligible for.
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Federal Student Aid FAFSA Simplification Act Implementation Changes Guidance

This Federal Student Aid guidance covers policies that become effective for the 2023-2024 award year, including Cost of Attendance (COA), consumer information requirements and categories of professional judgement.
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Financial Aid Contact Lookup

Find financial aid help near you. You do not have to be attending a local campus to receive financial aid assistance.
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Financial Aid/FAFSA Completion Ideal Timeline and Goals

This timeline offers ideal goals based on this year’s FAFSA timeline, so you have an easy-to-chart path to help your students. It also includes an action plan template.

FSA List of Known FAFSA Issues

Review the known FAFSA issues and their status.
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How to Make Corrections to the FAFSA

Share with students the following instructions on how to make corrections to the 24-25 FAFSA form.
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How To Submit the 2024–25 FAFSA Form if Your Contributor Doesn’t Have an SSN

Access FSA step-by-step instructions on how to submit the online Better FAFSA form for students with contributors without an SSN.
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Pell Grant Lookup Tables

This National College Attainment Network resource breaks down the Pell Grant Lookup Tables so you can use them to advise families.
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SAI Lookup Tables

Tables that will be used to determine if an applicant may be eligible for a maximum or minimum Pell Grant for the 2024-2025 award year. This early awareness tool will help students and families understand the federal grant aid that may be available to them long before they are able to complete the FAFSA and receive their Student Aid Report.
Webinar

Special Circumstances For 2024-2025 FAFSA (June 2023)

Presented by Federal Student Aid for college access professionals, a login is required, or you can log in as a guest.
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Steps to Create FSA ID for Individuals Without an SSN

Access NASFAA’s steps to creating an FSA ID without a SSN.
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Studentaid.gov Account Worksheet (FSA ID)

Use this form to record details as you enter them, so you know if you need to go back and change any information.
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Supporting Students Who Are Ineligible to Complete FAFSA

CFNC offers ideas for how to support students that are ineligible to complete the FAFSA (students without social security numbers).
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Tip Sheet For Refugee And Asylee Students

For financial administrators working with refugee and asylee students, the NASFAA has guidance.
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Tip Sheet for Students Who are Ineligible to Complete FAFSA

NASFAA provides helpful tips answering common questions from undocumented students.
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Top 5 Reasons You Should Complete The FAFSA

Check out this infographic about how the FAFSA helps North Carolina students and families plan for college.
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Top 5 Reasons You Should Complete The FAFSA En Español

Check out this infographic about how the FAFSA helps North Carolina students and families plan for college.
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Understanding Enrollment Intensity

Review this guide provided by FSA to learn more about enrollment intensity.
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What You Need To Know About The Better FAFSA

This guidance covers policies that become effective for the 2023-2024 award year, including Cost of Attendance (COA), consumer information requirements and categories of professional judgement.