How to Fill Out the FAFSA Correctly in 2026

Описание: Filling out the FAFSA can feel overwhelming, especially with new rules, updated timelines, and changes to the Student Aid Index. In this webinar, Juno’s Student Success Resource Lead, Leah Young, breaks down exactly how the FAFSA works, who needs to complete it, and how to avoid costly mistakes.

Whether you are a parent of a high school junior or senior, or a student preparing to apply for financial aid, this session walks you through the entire FAFSA process step by step.

What you will learn:

• What the FAFSA is and how it determines financial aid eligibility
• FAFSA deadlines and when to file for maximum aid
• Dependent vs independent student rules
• What assets to report and what not to include
• How the Student Aid Index works
• Common FAFSA mistakes to avoid
• What happens after you submit the FAFSA
• When and how to appeal a financial aid offer
• How federal loans and Parent PLUS loans work

If you think you may need student loans after filing the FAFSA, join Juno’s free negotiation group. Juno uses the power of group buying to negotiate better student loan rates on behalf of members. There is no cost and no commitment, and the more members who join, the stronger our negotiating power becomes.

Explore your options and join here:
https://joinjuno.com/?utm_source=yout...

#FAFSA #FinancialAid #CollegePlanning #StudentLoans #PayingForCollege #ParentPLUS #StudentAidIndex

00:00 Introduction and Who This Webinar Is For
01:19 FAFSA Timeline for Parents and Students
02:57 When Financial Aid Offers Are Released
04:33 What Is the FAFSA and Why It Matters
08:48 Types of Federal Financial Aid Explained
10:56 Parent PLUS Loans Overview
12:45 Who Needs to Submit the FAFSA
14:39 Dependent vs Independent Student Rules
16:51 Determining FAFSA Contributors
18:20 Creating an FSA ID
20:51 Documents Needed for FAFSA
22:07 Step by Step FAFSA Application Walkthrough
25:38 Common FAFSA Mistakes to Avoid
28:49 Reporting Assets Correctly
30:13 Impact of Family Size on Financial Aid
34:30 Listing Colleges on the FAFSA
35:49 Submitting FAFSA and Understanding SAI
37:28 Understanding Financial Aid Offers
41:02 Federal Loans and Repayment Tips
43:23 New Financial Aid Appeal Tool
46:23 Live Q and A