As FAFSA season begins, many students and families feel overwhelmed by the financial aid process. The good news? Most high schools offer free FAFSA workshops—and they can make a huge difference in getting your forms completed correctly and on time.

If your FAFSA isn’t done yet, one of the easiest ways to get help is by checking whether your high school (or your student’s high school) is hosting a FAFSA completion night or a financial aid workshop this month.

Here’s why these events are so valuable and how to find one near you.

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✅ Why Attend a FAFSA or Financial Aid Workshop?

1. Experts Walk You Through the Process

Financial aid counselors or trained school staff guide families step-by-step through the FAFSA form.
They can help with:

• Creating your FSA ID
• Understanding the IRS data transfer
• Inputting financial information
• Adding colleges correctly

No guessing. No confusion.

2. Immediate Answers to Your Questions

If you get stuck at home, you’re on your own.
At a workshop, you can ask:

• “Which parent’s information should we use?”
• “What if our income changed this year?”
• “How do we fix an error?”

Having someone right there to help saves time and stress.

3. You’re More Likely to Finish the FAFSA That Night

The biggest FAFSA hurdle is starting.
Workshops create a designated time and space to get it done, with support if you need it.

4. Many Schools Partner With Local Colleges

These events often include financial aid representatives from nearby colleges who share:

• Scholarship opportunities
• Tips for maximizing aid
• What colleges look for when awarding institutional grants

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🔍 How to Find Out If Your School Offers a FAFSA Workshop

Try one of these steps:

• Check your school counseling office website
• Look for emails or newsletters from the guidance department
• Ask your school counselor directly
• Follow your high school on social media—they often post events
• Search your district webpage for “FAFSA Night” or “Financial Aid Workshop”

If your school doesn’t offer one, many local libraries, community colleges, and nonprofit organizations host free sessions open to the public.

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📝 What to Bring to a FAFSA Workshop

To make the most of the event, bring:

• Student and parent FSA IDs
• Social Security Numbers
• 2023 tax return
• Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
• Your list of colleges (you can add more later)
• A charged laptop or tablet

This ensures you can complete the FAFSA during the workshop.

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🎯 Final Tip

Completing the FAFSA early increases your chances of receiving need-based aid, work-study opportunities, and institutional grants. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to begin, a workshop is one of the quickest ways to get expert support.

Take five minutes today to check whether your high school has one scheduled—you’ll be glad you did.