by | Gianna DiPasquale
Editor-in-Chief
College is approaching fast for many seniors, which means FAFSA is open and ready to assist students with their financial need. Well, sort of. The 2024-2025 FAFSA application began their soft launch on December 31, 2023, however, several students who tried to open the form couldn’t access it. FAFSA experienced nationwide maintenance problems and is still not working for many students trying to receive financial aid.
“A really important thing to keep in mind is that the FAFSA itself isn’t the scholarship application,” CCMR specialist Alberto Robledo-Madera said. “It’s just giving the information to the schools or maybe even the programs.”
Filling out the FAFSA application has its own process that requires students and parents to organize and provide their information. The steps for the FAFSA may seem daunting but are necessary in order to acquire financial aid.
“The main thing for completing it is one, you have to create the account,” Robledo-Madera said. “Once you get in there you’re looking to complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA.”
The FAFSA event that was supposed to take place this month was cancelled due to the maintenance problems the form is experiencing. Although there will be other future events that will be dedicated to giving students and parents the time to fill out and finish the form, while also having any questions answered by Robledo-Madera.
“We’re going to have one that’s going to be in the evening, after a school day, and then one Saturday mid-day, like around 12 o’clock for people who after school is just not a great time for them,” Robledo-Madera said.
Depending on the situation each student is in, there can be some confusion or hurdles when trying to complete the FAFSA. Fortunately, there are several resources that families can use to help with it.
“Any time they can request to come either into my office or to the College and Career Center,” Robledo-Madera said. “If the parent or guardian wants to just come to the school and work on it, get some assistance, they’re more than welcome to. Just send me an email, file for an appointment that says ‘Parent/Guardian, I need help with FAFSA,’ and I’ll do what I can to make time, make sure I can work with them.”
