MEFA Institute: Helping Families with FAFSA Challenges
The new 2024-25 FAFSA is open, but some families have experienced difficulty navigating the application process. In this webinar for school counselors and college access professionals, we review known issues, technical bugs, and workarounds (when available) of the new FAFSA. We also discuss the impact of the delayed FAFSA launch on financial aid deadlines and the release of financial aid offers, as well as the process of updating and correcting FAFSA data.
Understanding the FAFSA<sup>®</sup>
This webinar provides a detailed overview of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the main application for college financial aid. Learn step-by-step instructions on completing the application, helpful tips on answering questions correctly, and important next steps.
Who Needs an FSA ID?
If you’re filing the FAFSA, you’ll need to have an FSA ID. All students will need to create an FSA ID, and for most traditional undergraduate students, at least one parent, possibly two, will need to create an FSA ID. Learn how to determine which parents should create an FSA ID in our short video. If you’re filing the FAFSA, you’ll need to have an FSA ID. All students will need to create an FSA ID, and for most traditional undergraduate students, at least one parent, possibly two, will need to create an FSA ID. Learn how to determine which parents should create an FSA ID in our short video.
What is the SAI?
The Student Aid Index, or SAI, is a number that represents your family’s financial strength and ability to pay for college, and helps to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive.
The Power of the U.Plan Prepaid Tuition Program
Learn how to lock in tomorrow's tuition at today's prices with the U.Plan, Massachusetts's prepaid tuition plan. This webinar covers the unique money-saving benefits of the U.Plan, teach you how to enroll and contribute, demonstrate how your savings will grow even if your child attends a college out of state, and explain how to use the plan to guard against the increase in tuition at dozens of public and private Massachusetts colleges and universities.
Athletics in College Admissions
This webinar, presented by Dr. Mike Janicki, Ed.D, School Counselor at Old Rochester Regional, discuss athletics in college admissions. Topics include sports divisions, eligibility, the college search process, and issue to consider.
Systematic Approach to College Choice for Students & Parents
This webinar, presented by Dr. Amanda Sterk, Director of Accelerated Programs, Florida Southwestern State College and Dr. Timothy Poynton, Associate Professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston, two experienced educators with a passion for bringing tools and strategies to school counselors, help you assist your students with the college choice process using a strategy called LEADS. You can be able to take the strategies and tools shared during this webinar and immediately start using them as your work with students and families.
MEFA Institute: Learn About FAFSA Completion Reports
In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has created near real-time school and student-level FAFSA completion reports within Edwin Analytics. These live reports allow schools and districts to monitor whether seniors have completed and submitted their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which they must submit in order to apply for federal and state financial student aid for college. The Department encourages all school counselors to have access to Edwin. Join in this webinar with presenter Nyal Fuentes, College and Career Readiness Coordinator at DESE, to learn about this important tool and how it can help your school and your students.
FAFSA Simplification for College Officials
FAFSA Simplification, including the delayed availability of the FAFSA, has brought unprecedented changes to the financial aid process this year. The college admissions and financial aid cycle has been upended, with significant impact on the work of admissions, financial aid, and enrollment management administrators. Three higher education leaders and FAFSA experts provide guidance on how your institutions can manage these FAFSA changes and revised timeline this winter and spring while continuing to serve your prospective and current students.
The MEFA Institute<sup>™</sup>: A Deep Dive into the FAFSA
This webinar for school counselors and college access professionals provides a detailed overview of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), including step-by-step instructions on completing the application, helpful tips on answering questions correctly, and important next steps.