The FAFSA is scheduled to open on October 1, but this is the right time to set the stage. If you wait until launch day, you’ll be buried in questions. A little prep now saves you a lot of stress later.
3 Things to Do Now:
- Remind Families About Timing
The FAFSA opens this fall .. make sure families know not to panic if they can’t access it yet. Also make sure they don’t fill out last years (unless their child wants a summer start) - Get FSA IDs Ready
Encourage students and parents/guardians to create their FSA IDs now. This one small step often causes delays if it’s left to the last minute. - Plan a FAFSA Info Session (or Share Resources)
If your school hosts a financial aid night, schedule it now. If not, share links to trusted guides like Federal Student Aid or state-specific resources. I invite our state scholarship rep to come talk to my students’ families.
FAFSA Prep Checklist for Families
Before FAFSA opens, make sure you have:
- An FSA ID for both student and parent/guardian
- Social Security numbers (student and parent)
- Last year’s federal tax returns
- Records of untaxed income (if any)
- Bank statements and investment info (if applicable)
- A list of colleges your student is considering
Final Thought
Families are nervous about the FAFSA every year, and this year will be no exception. But if students and parents walk into October knowing what’s coming, the process feels a lot less overwhelming. The FAFSA doesn’t have to be a last-minute scramble — it can be another step you’ve already prepared them for.