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The FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form that students must complete to qualify to receive any financial aid from the federal government for education or training after high school. The FAFSA traditionally opens up on October 1 each year but students will not complete their form until their senior year. Filling out and submitting the FAFSA form is free and it provides students access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for tuition expenses at a community college, university, or trade/technical school. Completing the FAFSA form is the only way to qualify for the Pell Grant, which is money for educational expenses that does NOT need to be paid back. A completed FAFSA is used to not only qualify for financial aid at a postsecondary institution but is often required for many scholarship applications as well. Even if a student or parent believes that they will not qualify for a Pell Grant, it is incredibly important that they still fill it out and complete the process. Completing the FAFSA form can open the door to thousands of dollars in financial aid for education or training after high school from the federal government.

Completing the FAFSA is an essential step toward students accessing federal financial aid and positions students to be 84% more likely to pursue education or training the semester following high school. Under current federal law, submitting personal identifying information (PII), through the FAFSA, including a parent’s citizenship status, is protected, and used only for determining financial aid eligibility. For the latest information about FAFSA PII privacy, refer to the resources below:

Resources for Completing the FAFSA

Ask Benji

Benji is an AI-powered chatbot that provides free 24/7 FAFSA support to help Arizona families fill out the FAFSA and access thousands of dollars of grants, loans, and scholarships to help pay for education after high school.

AZ FAFSA Hotline

The AZ FAFSA Hotline is a direct phone number students and families can call to speak with a live FAFSA expert and receive support anytime between 9AM - 3PM, Monday-Friday. 1-833-AZFAFSA (English)
1-833-MiFAFSA (Español)

College Connect Tempe

College Connect Tempe offers virtual and in-person individualized support to assist students and families with FAFSA completion and helps them understand the payment options for education or training after high school.

College Depot

College Depot at Phoenix Public Library offers virtual and in-person advising support to assist students and families with all action steps necessary to complete the FAFSA, as well as identify and apply for scholarships that can help pay for education or training after high school.

College Ready AZ - Finish Line to the FAFSA

This website, created by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), provides students and families with information to prepare for, apply to, enroll in, and pay for college at Arizona’s public universities. The Finish Line to the FAFSA page provides key resources to support FAFSA completion.

Metro Education Commission

The Center offers advising, workshops, and resources to help students and families with FAFSA completion as well as scholarship searches that can help pay for education or training after high school.

Northern Arizona College Resource Center

The NACRC offers virtual and in-person assistance to students and families, guiding them through FAFSA completion, as well as finding and applying for scholarships that can help pay for education or training after high school.

Tri-University Events

This site provides access to events and workshops related to the application process, financial aid information, and FAFSA completion at Arizona’s public universities.

Merit-Based Tuition Programs for AZ Residents

Merit-based financial aid is awarded based on your academic achievements. It is not dependent on your financial need. Merit-based aid can be awarded by colleges, universities, and/or some local trade schools. 

Scholarships and Financial Aid Resources

Scholarships are a valuable form of financial aid that can help students pay for education or training after high school. Unlike student loans, scholarships do NOT need to be repaid. Some scholarships are “renewable,” meaning they provide funding for multiple years. Finding scholarships can feel overwhelming, but these resources have been gathered to help Arizona students and families find trusted and free scholarship opportunities with ease.

Need-based financial assistance programs for AZ residents.

The College Affordability and Transparency Center, a tool provided by the US Department of Education, was designed to provide students and families with better information about college costs.

Need-based financial aid is determined by your financial situation and your family’s ability to pay for education or training after high school. This type of aid takes into account factors like your family’s income, assets, and the cost of attending the school. To qualify, you usually need to fill out forms like the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Need-based aid can include grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.

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