The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is holding a free FAFSA Workshop to guide college-bound students and their families in completing the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available at StudentAid.gov/FAFSA.
Typically available on October 1, the 2024–25 FAFSA was delayed until December 31 as the FAFSA underwent changes resulting from the FAFSA Simplification Act, a federal law intended to streamline the financial aid application process. The new FAFSA uses the IRS Data Exchange to link tax information into your application and expands access to Federal Pell Grants.
Filing the FAFSA online is the first step to determine if you qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, PA State Grant, scholarships, institutional awards, and federal student loans.
“Successful completion is critical since the FAFSA is the only application for federal aid,” explained Senator Wayne D. Fontana, PHEAA board chairman. “At this free workshop, PHEAA Higher Education Access Partners, with their vast years of financial aid industry experience, will be personally guiding each attending student and their family through the FAFSA process. A simple mistake could result in a loss of aid so it’s important to file correctly.”
To prepare for FAFSA completion, students and families can use the FAFSA Checklist, created by PHEAA to help them prepare for the FAFSA completion process, which outlines all the items and information needed to ensure a successful submission. All participating students and contributors (such as parents and spouses) must establish their Federal Student Aid Accounts (FSA ID) at least four days prior to attending this event.
“The new FAFSA has only been accessible for a few weeks, but our Higher Education Access Partners are already educated on the new FAFSA,” said James Steeley, PHEAA president and CEO. “They’re ready to answer any questions you may have, assist you with any challenges, and guide you to successful completion. Register for one of the hour-long sessions, and use our free resources and materials to afford your higher education.”
The FAFSA Workshop will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at PHEAA Headquarters, 1200 N. 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102. Three hour-long sessions are offered: 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.
Walk-ins are welcome; but there will be a limited number of laptops available, so registration is preferred.