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FAFSA and Financial AidFAFSA and Financial Aid<div class="ExternalClassC45F977D139C46A19773CB3C117A4965"><div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;">College Depot offers free, individuali</span><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;">zed </span><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;">FAFSA assistance by appointment. Our advisors are hosting in-person labs to assist students and families with FSA ID creation and the Free Application for Federa</span><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;">l Student Aid. Visit our</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;"> </span><span data-ogsc="rgb(0, 114, 198)" style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-weight:bolder;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#0072c6;text-decoration-style:solid;text-decoration-color:#0072c6;"><span><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/calendar?cid=16398" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 114, 198)" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Workshops</a></span></span><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;"> page to find and register for upcoming labs and workshops. One-on-One</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;"> </span><span data-ogsc="rgb(0, 114, 198)" style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-weight:bolder;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#0072c6 !important;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://tiny.cc/CDrequest" data-linkindex="1" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 114, 198)" style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">Appointments</a></span></span><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;"> may also be made specifically for completing the FAFSA. If you have a question or need assistance scheduling, please call us at (602) 261-8847 so that we may further assist you.</span><br></div><div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><br style="font-size:17.3333px;"></div><div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><strong style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;">What is the FAFSA?</strong></div><div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><br style="font-size:17.3333px;"></div><div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><span style="font-size:17.3333px;">FAFSA® is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Completing the FAFSA is an important step in paying for college or trade school. Any student who wants to be considered for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs should complete the FAFSA form. This includes grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.</span></div><div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><br style="font-size:17.3333px;"></div><div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><strong style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;">What is an FSA ID?</strong></div><div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><br style="font-size:17.3333px;"></div><div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><span style="font-size:17.3333px;">An FSA ID, or Federal Student Aid ID, is a username and password that allows users to log in to the U.S. Department of Education's online systems, such as StudentAid.gov, and access the FAFSA.</span></div><div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><br style="font-size:17.3333px;"></div><div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-weight:bolder;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:inherit;font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"></span></span></div><div data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1rem;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong style="text-decoration:underline;">2026-2027 FAFSA</strong> </span></span></div><div data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1rem;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If you are a current high school senior, prospective or current college student and plan to attend college ne​xt Fall (2026) or Spring (2027), you will need to complete the 26-27 FAFSA, which will be available to all October 1, 2025. You do not need to wait until that date to create an FSA ID. If you do not already have an account, please create an FSA ID: <a href="https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch">https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch</a>​ . </span></span></div><div data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1rem;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:underline;color:#000000 !important;"><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>2025-2026 FAFSA </strong></span></span></div><div data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1rem;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If you are a prospective or current college student and are attending college this Fall (2025) or Spring (2026), it is not too late to complete the 25-26 FAFSA! </span></span></div><div data-ogsc="rgb(0, 0, 0)" style="border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1rem;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:#000000 !important;"><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:17.3333px;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">​If you need assistance, please give our office a call at (602) 261-8847 to schedule an appointment or sign up for one of our available FAFSA labs here: <a href="https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/calendar?cid=16398&t=g&d=0000-00-00&cal=16398&inc=0">tiny.cc/CDevents</a>​. families.</span>​<br></span></div></div>

 

 

 

 

FAFSA EssentialsFAFSA Essentialshttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/CD FAFSA Poster '21_8.png336

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Overview of the Financial Aid ProcessAn Overview of the Financial Aid Processhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_iS7gmQd9o<div class="ExternalClass3B5A2822EC8447F3A6257FF7468AA438">Are you ready to attend college or career school, but need financial aid to help fund your education? Check out this video to learn how the office of Federal Student Aid provides more than $150 billion in grants, loans and work-study funds.​<br></div>7
Different Types of Federal Student AidDifferent Types of Federal Student Aidhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn4OECMTh5w<div class="ExternalClassF85859D1617E4514ACB8FC552C9AC3A9">If you need help paying for college or career school, the office of Federal Student Aid can assist you with getting the money you need. Check out this video to learn about grants, loans, and work-study jobs and how they can help fund your education.<br></div>8
How to Determine Your Dependency StatusHow to Determine Your Dependency Statushttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEbxaRjlLus<div class="ExternalClass47277E8E30224FDBB39C2FB6905C4679"><p>Are you ready to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, but are unsure whether you'll need to provide parental information on the form? Check out this video to help you determine whether you're an independent or dependent student.​<br></p></div>6
What Happens After the FAFSA?What Happens After the FAFSA?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c1gNefSw78<div class="ExternalClass35FAAC4561414DCCB8F24CD8C31DF2C0"><p>​Have you filled out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and are wondering what happens next? Check out this video to learn what to expect after completing the FAFSA.​<br></p></div>9

 

 

FSA IDFSA IDhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=63<div class="ExternalClass84A2456A1A5F4E4C96F91290E0A10989">​Creating an FSA ID is your first step in the process toward receiving student aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are a dependent student, you and your parent will both need to create a FSA ID. You will need an email address, your social security number and some other basic information. This can take 1-3 days to process, which can block you out of your FAFSA until the processing is complete so plan accordingly. If a parent has more than one child submitting a FAFSA application, they can use the same FSA ID to electronically sign all applications. If a student does not have a​​ FSA ID by the time they fill out the FAFSA, they will be prompted to apply for one. This process can be daunting, so let us help! Schedule an appointment today!<br></div>https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launchNew Window
The FAFSAThe FAFSAhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=64<div class="ExternalClassE054CD856B2E46978036F08027E9900A">Created an FSA ID?  The next step in applying for financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is important to complete the FAFSA early in order to receive maximum consideration for free money. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1st of each year and will require student and/or parent tax information from the previous year. For more information, check out this comprehensive guide to Filling out the FAFSA linked below, and then contact us for a workshop or FAFSA small group, where we will walk you through completing the FAFSA.<br></div>https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsaNew Window
Student Aid Index (SAI)Student Aid Index (SAI)https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=65<div class="ExternalClassF2364C994BC44EA2B997E4BA7C3C2F6B"><p><span data-teams="true"><span dir="ltr">The SAI is an eligibility index number that a college’s or career school’s financial aid office uses to determine how much federal student aid you would receive if you attended the school. This number results from the information that you provide in your FAFSA form.</span></span><br><br></p></div>https://studentaid.gov/complete-aid-process/how-calculatedNew Window
Eligibility for Federal Student AidEligibility for Federal Student Aidhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=701<div class="ExternalClass380FB17627344B2CB1CFE8416BC04FF5"><p>​Wondering if you qualify​ for federal ​student aid?  Check out this infographic to learn more.<br></p></div>https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/eligibility.pdfNew Window
Determining Dependency StatusDetermining Dependency Statushttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=702<div class="ExternalClass399BD7D27FC54807BE3E6BD7557F264D"><p>Have questions about your dependency​ status?  Click to learn if you are a dependent student or an independent student on the FAFSA.<br>​<br><br></p></div>https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/dependency-status.png?_ga=2.155571262.447071682.1615493884-432752095.1594419497New Window
Who is My Parent When Filling Out the FAFSA?Who is My Parent When Filling Out the FAFSA?https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=703<div class="ExternalClass46AA8B99E8724B86B0CEE384746FE570"><p>​Dependent students are required to report parent information on the FAFSA.  Find out the specific info you will need.<br></p></div>https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/documents/FAFSA_Dependency%20Guide_2023.pdfNew Window

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculating Financial Aidhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=705https://studentaid.gov/complete-aid-process/how-calculatedCalculating Financial AidCalculating Financial AidNew Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass65D565912819451C81BB5666754824E9"><p>​How is financial aid calculated and determined?  Click to find out details and specific information about the process.<br></p></div>
Federal Student Loanshttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=71https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loansFederal Student LoansLoansNew Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass98056BDED9E14CE8AFE009DB5B4698AB"><p>​Learn what types of federal students loans may be available to you.<br></p></div>
Grantshttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=66https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grantsGrantsTypes of Financial AidNew Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass8D3949E31A7E462ABCBCC11A43B88B9F">Grants are <span lang="EN">free money</span> awarded to q​ualified students. The <span lang="EN">Pell G​rant</span> is the most common grant awarded by the FAFSA and is based on your EFC. The Pell, any state grants that may be offered, or even school grants, can be renewed every year by completing your FAFSA before your state's priority deadline. Come in to the College Depot, we can help!<br></div>
Scholarshipshttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=706https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/scholarshipsScholarshipsScholarshipsSame Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClassE388626808E14C5C9BF113850B6E2207"><p>​Learn about finding and applying for scholarships to help pay for your educational goals.<br></p></div>
The Pell Granthttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=70https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pellThe Pell GrantGrantsNew Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7
Work-Studyhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=704https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/work-studyWork-StudyWork-StudyNew Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass2BDD6B6161B54D56A7D5765D190105B4"><p>​Find out more about the federal work-study program.<br></p></div>
College Depot Scholarships Pagehttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=72/collegedepot/scholarshipsCollege Depot Scholarships PageScholarshipsSame Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7
Loanshttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=67https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loansLoansTypes of Financial AidNew Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass1199C2B93D1A478A88B4508C837AA16A">​Loans are funds provided to students (or parents in the case of the Parent PLUS Loan) and must be repaid. Some student loan programs require financial need while others do not. There are two types of loans that students will be eligible for immediately upon completion of the FAFSA, which are: the <span lang="EN">Direct Subsidized Sta​fford Loan and the Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. </span>Be sure to read up on the differences between these two loans, and speak with your Financial Aid counselor to sign up or find out information on other private or institutional loan options.<br></div>
Work-Studyhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=68https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/work-studyWork-StudyTypes of Financial AidNew Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClassE67750B7677D4C8DAE74635EDA8A919B">​Unlike grants or loans, the Federal Work-Study program is awarded throughout the semester, through student employment. Students can work on campus and earn funds which can be put toward a student's educational expenses, while the student gains beneficial work experience. If interested, be sure to designate so while completing the FAFSA.<br></div>
Scholarshipshttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=69https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/scholarshipsScholarshipsTypes of Financial AidNew Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClassF0A99213FA9E478289BC1C6ABAF763E3">​Scholarships are different from the rest because they can be obtained from many different places and can be need-based or merit-based. Most scholarships require a separate application as well as other materials (e.g. essays, letters of recommendation, etc.) a​nd can be  one time only or renewable each year. Make sure to call or visit College Depot with any Scholarship questions and make sure to check out our <span lang="EN"><a href="/collegedepot/scholarships" target="_blank">Scholarships​</a> page </span>for a rotating list of upcoming opportunities<br>​<br>​<br></div>
CSS Financial Aid Profile Worksheethttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/documents/CSS Financial Aid Profile Worksheet 2025.pdfCSS Financial Aid Profile WorksheetFinancial Aid ResourcesNew Window0x010100BAC29FC12BF93C4A8AFE04BFB4DF609B
FAFSA Dependency Guidehttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/documents/FAFSA_Dependency Guide_2023.pdfFAFSA Dependency GuideFinancial Aid ResourcesNew Window0x010100BAC29FC12BF93C4A8AFE04BFB4DF609B
FAFSA FAQshttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/documents/FAFSA FAQs_2023.pdfFAFSA FAQsFinancial Aid ResourcesNew Window0x010100BAC29FC12BF93C4A8AFE04BFB4DF609B