Seniors and Senior Parents: Now is the time to pay attention to applying for financial aid. In addition to filing the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), many private colleges require the CSS/Financial Aid Profile.

Both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile can and should be started in the fall of the student’s senior year by using last year’s tax forms. The FAFSA and the CSS Profile may be updated and changed when families receive tax forms for the current year. Please contact your school counselor if you have any questions.

SUNY Financial Aid Days
SUNY offers Financial Aid Days to assist students and their families in applying for financial aid and completing the FAFSA. SUNY typically hosts events statewide. Information and dates can be found on the SUNY Financial Aid Days website.

Resources

All colleges are required to post a Net Price Calculator on their websites. A Net Price Calculator allows current/prospective students, families and other consumers, to estimate the net price of attending a particular college or technical/career school.

FAFSA Helpline: (800) 433-3243
CSS Profile Helpline: (844) 202-0524
New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Helpline: (888) 697-4372

FAFSA: 8 Steps to Complete the FAFSA Form
Student Aid Report Summary

Federal Student Aid
This US Department of Education website features the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and related information regarding federal financial aid.

College Board Online
College Board Online helps students and parents make the transition from school to college. Includes the College Scholarship Service Profile and a financial aid calculator.

Cappex
Students can create a profile to search for merit aid, as well as college, private and foundation scholarships.

Grown & Flown
This website’s “Paying for College” section contains articles regarding financing a college education and navigating the financial aid process.

FinAid
Sponsored by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, this site provides links to information about student financial aid. It also includes a “Scholarship Scam Alert” with information about scams and how to avoid them.

Start Here Get There: Student Financial Aid Awareness
The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation website offers help and guidance for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), information about the state’s Tuition Assistance Program and more.