All Financial Aid Articles

College student filing her FAFSA on her phone and laptop.
financial aid

The Question-By-Question FAFSA Guide

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on July 28, 2023
The question by question guide provided below is an amazing resource for people who filed the FAFSA prior to 2022. For the most current FAFSA Guide, click here. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid—or FAFSA—is a form that determines a student’s financial need level, and opens the opportunity for federal scholarships, grants, work study …
College student smiling as she works on her laptop in a coffee shop.
financial aid

13 Great Work Study Programs

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 21, 2024
Participation in a federal work study program not only provides a means to earn money for your college education but also presents an opportunity to acquire practical skills relevant to your field of study. The offerings vary among colleges, but applying for a work-study position can pave the way for valuable career-oriented experiences. Whether it …
Golden plate number 8 screwed on a wooden table.
financial aid

A Breakdown of the Federal TRIO Programs

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
The Federal TRIO programs were introduced as a way to identify and help students from disadvantaged and lower-income backgrounds. There are eight TRIO programs, all funded by the US Department of Education. Each of the programs has its own distinct goal, which is different from the other programs. Some are community-based organizations while others aim …
Here's everything you need to know about the TRIO Upward Bound program
financial aid

What You Need To Know About The TRIO Upward Bound Program

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
The Upward Bound (UB) Program is one of eight programs that make up the Federal TRIO Programs. Specifically, this program dedicates itself to providing academic assistance and financial support to high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The TRIO Upward Bound program’s aim is to prepare these students for college entrance. Additionally, the program provides continuous …
A hand is holding a cellphone.
financial aid

Department of Education Launches New Mobile FAFSA App

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
As part of an ambitious redesign of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) the US Department of Education has launched an app that helps students file the FAFSA. The Official FAFSA App Known as myStudentAid, the app is designed to make filing the FAFSA as easy and straightforward as possible. Like the FAFSA …
UC Berkeley Campus building and lawn on the foreground.
financial aid

5 Things All Parents Need to Know About the FAFSA

By Kristen MoonLast updated on July 28, 2023
College is a huge investment for many families and most need a little bit of financial help. If you are looking for ways to pay for college, one of the first resources you may turn to is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Every student qualifies for some form of student aid, so …
Here's a college financial aid checklist for juniors and seniors
financial aid

College Prep Financial Aid Checklist for Juniors and Seniors

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
Are you a freshman who just started high school? Or a senior staring down the barrel of your impending graduation? Organizational checklists and being prepared are keys to success. We’ve compiled a college financial aid checklist with handy tips to help you keep track of important financial aid information so you do not miss out …
A student walking in Rawson Hall at Grinnell College campus.
financial aid

What You Can Do to Be Proactive Before FAFSA Opens

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 25, 2024
FAFSA is opening just around the corner. Here are some things you can do now so you are ready to go once it opens. First, A Few Basics of FAFSA What is the FAFSA? FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is an application that college students must fill out to be eligible …

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