Help Your Student Prepare for College
Know what your family and college-bound student should do to prepare for their college years, with a simplified college-planning process.
Fastweb's Parent Page provides scholarship information, financial aid tips, important dates, current events related to student life, an internship directory, and helpful articles for parents.
Search the College Parent FAQ Page to get answers to commonly asked questions.
Important Dates & Deadlines
FAFSA is Available
High school seniors and college students should submit their FAFSA each year. Prepare ahead with a FAFSA Checklist and by checking out FAFSA FAQ's.
Meet the FAFSA Deadline
This date is the government deadline for students requesting aid; it's based on the school year aid is needed.
Deadlines Vary by State
Find your state's financial aid deadline and apply for aid.
National Decision Day
Many high school seniors officially choose the college they'll attend on National Decision Day. Your child's college deposits and letter of intent are typically due on the first day of May.
Federal FAFSA Deadlines by Year
Year Attending
FAFSA submission period
2025 - 2026*
Dec. 2024 - June 30, 2026
*Circumstantial Year
*Circumstantial Year
2026 - 2027
Oct. 1, 2025 - June 30, 2027
2027 - 2028
Oct. 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028
2028 - 2029
Oct. 1, 2028 - June 30, 2029
Helpful articles:
Applying for Scholarships
75%
of students who are awarded scholarships receive them from private or community organizations.
source:
educationdata.org
Financial Aid Information for Parents
There are many options to help your family or your child pay for a college education. A final stage in the college decision process includes evaluating the financial aid award letters from the schools your child is considering attending. Many parents don’t know their child can appeal their financial aid package!
The best developed plans to pay for college include the following:
Student loans should be your last resort for paying for school. However, there are student loan options with reasonable terms. Parents and students should never use credit cards to help pay for college.
