February is Financial Aid Awareness Month

February – though she be but little, she be fierce. And by fierce…we mean jam-packed with important events and celebrations. Throughout the month, we recognize Groundhog's Day, Black History Month, Ash Wednesday, Valentine's Day and President's Day. While you probably thought that was enough to fill such a short month, there's one very important celebration that takes place all month long that you likely overlooked. But, at Fastweb, it's one of our favorites! February is also Financial Aid Awareness Month – which means you can celebrate this very important component of the college search process all month long. It’s the perfect time to complete the FAFSA, assess your aid package and get the most bang for your buck at your top college choices. And if collegiate financial literacy isn’t something you’re too keen to celebrate, use this time as an opportunity to educate yourself on what you need to do, seek help and guidance, and check these “big, scary” financial tasks off of your to-do list. (P.S. With our help, they shouldn’t be too “big” or “scary” anymore.) In honor of Financial Aid Awareness Month and, of course, in hopes to help you better understand and assess all of your options, we've listed some resources you can utilize to learn more about financial aid:

What's the FAFSA? A General Overview

Get your answers on what the form is and how to start the process. • The Beginner's Guide to Financial Aid • Why Should I Complete the FAFSA? • Do You Really Need Reasons to File Your FAFSA? • What's the FAFSA? And Why You Should Care • After the FAFSA: What to Do Once You've Submitted Yours • Your 2020-2021 Financial Aid and FAFSA State Deadlines

Filling Out Your FAFSA

What do you need to fill out the FAFSA? We’ve got the answers.

• FAFSA Checklist • What You Need to Complete the FAFSA • Quick Tips for Filing Your FAFSA • Get Help Completing the FAFSA: Resources for You

FAFSA Fumbles

It’s ok to make a mistake – even on the FAFSA. Get our advice on what to do about it. • 10 FAFSA Mistakes that Affect Financial Aid • Could You Be Giving Away Too Much on the FAFSA? • Should You Pay for FAFSA and Loan Services Help?

Financial Aid 101

Don’t know your SAR from your EFC? We’ve got you covered! • Financial Aid Glossary • The Beginner's Guide to Financial Aid • 15 Questions to Ask Your Financial Aid Office • Dropping Out Means Paying Back Financial Aid • Guide to Financial Aid Award Letters • Making Sense of Your EFC

Financial Freak Outs: Q & A

When it comes to paying for school, things don’t always go as planned. They’re not always black and white, either. With these articles, we clear up some of the concerns you may have about your circumstances. • How to Deal If Your Parents Won't Pay • Federal Financial Aid and the Independent Student • How Do I Become Independent on the FAFSA If I Am Under Age 24? • How does divorce affect eligibility for student financial aid? • Income and Financial Aid Eligibility • Questions About the FAFSA • Can I Get a New Financial Aid Package if My Mom Lost Her Job? • Which parent is responsible for completing the financial aid application? • Does Filing a FAFSA Obligate You in Any Way?
Are Parents Responsible for Repaying a Child's Student Loans? • What to Do If Your Application for a FSA ID is Rejected? • Financial Aid without Filing the FAFSA?

Financial Aid Resources by Student Type

Find guidelines for your particular ethnicity, nationality, race, orientation and circumstances.
• Financial Aid for Older & Nontraditional Students • Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities • Financial Aid for Minority Students • Financial Aid for Female Students • Financial Aid for Jewish Students • Financial Aid for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Students • Financial Aid for Undocumented Students • Financial Aid for Candian Students • The Basics of Financial Aid for Studying Abroad

All About Scholarships

Scholarships are forms of aid, too. Discover everything about scholarships, from how you can better fill out applications to maximizing your opportunities to win more.
• Scholarship Best Practices • Fastweb's Scholarship Directory • 7 C's of Winning Scholarships • A Balancing Act: School & the Scholarship Search • How Scholarships are Judged: An Inside Look • Develop Your Scholarship Game Plan • Five Scholarship Myths • Small Awards Pay Big Dividends • Scholarships for Dummies: Common Sense Places to Look for Scholarships • Scholarship Scam Red Flags • 10 Ways to Make Scholarship Sponsors Love You

All About Saving

Consider this: a dollar saved is one less dollar that you have to pay back after graduation. Get saving strategies and debt help as you navigate the financial independence you gain as a college student. • Guidelines for Financial Freedom • A Paying for School Checklist • Have You Considered Consolidating? • Student Debt Guide: Saving and Investing Money • Student Debt Guide: Budgeting and Credit Cards • Student Debt Guide: Credit Score • Tuition Discount Secrets Revealed! • Tuition Saving Tips

All About Loans

Sometimes, you have to take out loans in order to pay for school – and that’s ok. Start your student loan journey with our helpful guides. • Making Smarter Student Loan Decisions • Student Loan Glossary • Borrowing for College: How Much is Too Much? • Choosing an Education Loan • Should You Prefer Your Preferred Lender List?